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Clitographe by Jules Lefebvre, Paris.

Clitographe by Jules Lefebvre, Paris, France, circa 1870. With original tripod and case. Steel frame marked: NIVEAU de PENTE PARLANT ou CLITOGRAPHE LEFEBVRE (35 x 26 cm.) Patented in England and France, 1862. Gold Medal awarded at the Paris Exhibition 1860. See the collection of the Science Museum, London. OBJECT NUMBER:1939-358.   Jules Lefebvre & Cie, 54 Rue des Tournelles, Paris.   LEFEBVRE’S CLITOGRAPH; or, APPERATUS FOR LEVELING AND MEASURING ANGLES. The Clitograph, invented by M. Lefebvre (of Rouen), architect at Paris, 54, Rue des Tournelles, considerably shortens the time hitherto Read More...

MINIATURE BRASS AND COPPER THEODOLITE

MINIATURE BRASS AND COPPER THEODOLITE, French, c. 1830, finely signed “Huette a Paris,” standing only 7″ (18 cm) tall from bottom of staff mount to top of telescope. The upper assembly rotates in azimuth on a 4″ diameter horizontal circle which is precision divided every half degree full circle, with twin one-arcminute verniers and an articulated scale magnifier. A copper-bodied (copper presumably to minimize magnetic disturbances) trough compass rotates with the assembly, and has twin magnetic declination scales divided Read More...

Spectroscope Hofmann a vision directe C 1860

Brass instrument with a three-prism assembly and an iron tri-leg base. The “SPECTROSCOPE-HOFMANN à Vision directe / par J. G. Hofmann à Paris” inscription on the main tube refers to J. G. Hofmann, a German instrument maker who specialized in direct vision spectroscopes. Dr J G Hofmann, German engraver , established his shop in Paris as an optical and philosophical instrument maker.     Read More...

Important Renaissance Medical Box. Spanish Or Italian Workshop, Around 1550

  Renaissance Medical Casket with stepped lid and vaulted flanked dome. Polychrome and gilded wood. Spanish or Italian workshop, circa 1550.This chest shows the characteristics of those European emblazoned models of its period, with rectangular bodies and raised, stepped lid. All four sides, as well as the upper lid, are covered in a profusion of grotesque, pictorial, and heraldic decorative elements. This casket incorporates two oil-painted panels showing symbolizingthe triumph of life and medical healing over illness and death. The Read More...

19th century French pewter bleeding bowl

An 19th Century French pewter bleeding bowl, French. On the outer ring there is a Hallmark  with the letters A – J – P, with a monogram of a crown and a fleur de lis. Diameter 12,5 cm and in good condition. Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com Read More...

WOODEN SURVEYING SQUARE

WOODEN SURVEYING SQUARE, French, c. second quarter 19th century, signed “Castex Aine a Toulouse.” The turned walnut(?) instrument measures 4-3/4″ (12 cm) tall, with integral staff fitting and orthogonally cut sighting slits to lay out right angles for fields, buildings, etc. It is an unusual all-wood instrument, in very fine condition. This “Castex the elder” maker is probably connected with the balance maker listed by Marcelin, working in Toulouse in 1852. Read More...

PROVINCIAL FRENCH SURVEYING SQUARE FROM THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY

PROVINCIAL FRENCH SURVEYING SQUARE FROM THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY, 1668, signed “G. VIELLARD Arpent 1668 à Autun.” The surveying square is made of sheet copper or brass, gilded and pinned to a 7-3/4″ (20 cm) square block of dense walnut (?). This plate has an open center and is inscribed with four degree circles, punch divided every five degrees and every degree, labeled with punched numerals every ten degrees in each quadrant running from 0 to 90 and from 90 Read More...

Fine late 18th century large graphometer on ebonized stand

The fine unsigned ca. 1780 graphometer offered here is preserved in excellent condition. Whilst flat, the overall height is 33cm, to the top of the arms. Width is 22cm, depth is 19cm. Base diameter 16cm approx.   NOTE TO  BUYERS: Until the end of August, I will be staying in Italy (to end a half year’s sabbatical). Previous attempts to ship items to buyers from outside the EU often faced the (in)famous service of the Italian post. Therefore, if you live outside Read More...

CAPTAIN DESOMBRE’S

CAPTAIN DESOMBRE’S “BOUSSOLE GUIDE PANTOMETRIQUE,” French, c. late 19th century. Constructed by M. Houlliot, of 60 rue Notre-Dame-de-Nazareth in Paris (according to the instruction booklet), and numbered “28,” the lacquered-brass-cased compass is 2-1/4″ (5.5 cm) in diameter, mounted with pendant ring and pin gnomon / stylus on fine chain. The lid is hinged, and sets up as an equinoctial sundial adjustable against a folding arc for all latitudes from 0° to 70°. Both sides of the inclined cover are Read More...

FRENCH SURVEYING COMPASS

FRENCH SURVEYING COMPASS, c. 1835, bearing the fragmentary trade label of “Huette, Opticien, Quai de l¹Horloge, No. 75, à Paris.” Measuring 7-1/2″ x 8-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ (19 x 21 x 3 cm) overall, it is constructed of lovely walnut(?) with 6″ diameter inset glazed compass featuring printed paper rose, circumferential brass scale divided every degree, blued tapered needle with stone pivot, and needle lifter activated by external finger screw. The compass rose is quite special, divided to sixty-fourths of Read More...

IMPORTANT GILT-BRASS REVOLUTIONARY COMPASS

IMPORTANT GILT-BRASS REVOLUTIONARY COMPASS, French, c. 1745 -1747, finely signed by the maker “Lordelle A Paris à la Sphère,” and in a presentation “Au Grand Citoyen Et Savant J. Lalande,” and with a “crowned-C” hallmark. This finely crafted gilt brass compass measures 4-3/4″ (12 cm) on a side, mounted with glazed compass featuring hand-engraved 16-point rose (labeled interestingly NORT.EST, SEST, SUDEST, SUDO, ONO, etc.), circumferential twice-180° scale, elegant “arrow” needle, and external needle lifter. The North point fleur-de-lys has Read More...

Dental Pelican 17Th Century

Interesting iron dental pelican, forceps dental 17Th Century. Same exemplar in Museum Swedish Dental Society Stockolm. See Elisabeth Bennion P 31 Fig 12 Read More...