France Archives - Page 6 of 52

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A brass surveying circle with six sights, two of which are mounted on a rotating alidade. The circle measures 15 cm. It is signed “Baradelle à Paris” and can be dated to around 1730-1750. The instrument is complete with its pinnules, its ball joint, and its hexagonal stand. The circle is divided twice into 360 degrees. In the center, a compass indicates the four cardinal points. The compass needle is modern, or at least 19th or early 20th century, with an agate Read More...

21 Jun

Rare Copernician Planetarium with mechanical brass celestial sphere attributed to Emile Bertaux, made late XIXth century

By Galerie Delalande Paris

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Rare Copernician Planetarium with mechanical brass celestial sphere, on a walnut and mahogany base, attributed to Emile Bertaux, late XIXth century. With multiple brass spheres of various sizes and smaller spheres rotating around a central axis with a graduated circular dial on the base inscribed “SUD” “EAST” “NORTH” “WEST”, and the twelve astrological signs. The crank mechanism drives the nine planets: six mounted on curved armatures and two others, as well as the Earth and Moon mounted on a crank mechanism Read More...

21 Jun

Curved amputation knife signed ‘J.Monier Pouvourville H.G’, c. 1800

By Van Leest Antiques

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Curved amputation knife (faster) with cutler’s signature: “J.Monier Pouvourville H.G” blackened pearwood handle. Length: 28,5 cm. Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com Read More...

21 Jun

Surgical set in case by Frédéric Charrière, c. 1835

By Van Leest Antiques

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Surgical case Frédéric Charrière, Paris (1803-1876), the leading manufacturer of surgical instruments in the 19th century. He was the friend and supplier of Dupuytren and Civiale. It was he who turned his craft into an industry, the first as early as 1834. The first anaesthesia masks came out of his workshops in January 1847, and his establishment employed up to 450 workers, divided between the factories in Nogent (Haute-Marne) and the workshops, stores and offices in Paris. From 1834 Read More...

21 Jun

Three levels surgical set by Charriere à Paris, c. 1875

By Van Leest Antiques

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A three level surgical set by “Charrière à Paris” of circa 1875. The case is made of polished mahogany and red velvet interior. It contains 30 instruments, including four scalpels with guilloche ebony handles, a small metal retractor, seven amputation knives with guilloche ebony handles, a brass tourniquet by Jean-Louis Petit, a large amputation saw with guilloche ebony handle, two small forceps, a tracheal cannula with solid silver mandrel, a extraction forceps, a trephine with adjustable head and turned Read More...

21 Jun

Phrenology bust by Henri Dejort, France C. 1870.

By Van Leest Antiques

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A plaster phrenology bust designed by Henri Dejort with printed signature at the base of the neck. This type is considered to be one of the latest and rarest avatars of the phrenological heads. Dejort was a mad scientist with no medical or scientific background as we learn in his Deux lettres sur la doctrine de Gall, adresées a l’un des members de l’ Institut (Rennes, 1870). In this pamphlet, he explains that his aim is to defend and Read More...

20 Jun

A large Nicol prism for projection by Pellin, circa 1900

By Le Zograscope

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A quite large example of a mounted nicol prism in a tube and mounted on a brass stand. The instrument is signed “Ph. & F. Pellin M[ais]on Duboscq Paris”, so datable circa 1900. The prism measures around 14,5cm lenght and the brass tube 19,5cm. Total in height : 36cm. We can suppose that the large brass round part was intended for an use for solar microscope or a projecting apparatus like magic lantern. An large and heavy prism, quite rare. Read More...

19 Jun

Navisphère celestial globe by Henri de Magnac, Paris.

By Hatchwell Antiques

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8 inch celestial globe, Navisphère designed by Henri Julien Aved de Magnac, Paris, circa 1900. A celestial sphere on which are shown the stars of 1st and 2nd magnitude in Latin and French. Paper mâché sphere, twelve full gores and two polar calottes. “NAVISPHERE – DE – Mr DE MAGNAC – Bté S.G.D.G. – F. W. EICHENS CONSTR – E. BERTAUX, ÉDITEUR – PARIS.” Frederic William Eichens, instrument maker in Paris, obtained a French patent for it in 1878, an American patent in 1881, and other patents in England and Read More...

09 Jun

Hirtz’s Compass for locating shrapnel & other projectiles

By M and R Gordon

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A cased and complete example of Hirtz’s Compass. In addition, it has the original Gaiffe documentation, dated 1915, and a note from an Italian doctor indicating that he used this device in WWI .Instruments and interior of case are in excellent condition; the exterior case shows some wear, which is to be expected, given its wartime use. The last image is from WIKI and shows a Hirtz Compass assembled and in use. The London Science Museum notes: “Hirtz’s compass, a device Read More...

07 Jun

ELEGANT OPERA GLASSES

By TESSERACT

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Binoculars with a Handle, French, mid-19th century, signed twice ³Bianchi, rue du Coq St. Honoré No. 11 à Paris.² Measuring 4-1/2² (11 cm) wide overall, the binoculars are constructed of gilt-lacquered brass, with simulated tortoiseshell enameled main tubes, central geared focus with ivory thumbscrew, and swing away horn handle. In fine functional condition, they are complete with the shaped wood case covered in simulated red Morocco leather and lined with silk. Read More...

06 Jun

A First-Generation (1840s) Anesthesia Inhaler

By M and R Gordon

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An extremely rare first-generation( c1840s) chloroform inhaler. Metal with a hand-stitched leather cushion that appears to be stuffed with horse hair.The Wood Library of Anesthesia has a superficially similar mask, by Luer, in their collection–see link below. It should be noted that while their collection is arguably the most comprehensive in the United States, it lacks an example of this inhaler. See link below: https://www.woodlibrarymuseum.org/museum/luer-inhaler/ Read More...

02 Jun

Autosynoptometre du Dr. Armaignac by Giroux

By M and R Gordon

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Autosynoptometre du Dr. Armaignac by Giroux. A rare ophthalmic diagnostic device by the esteemed Parisian optical house, Giroux. Excellent condition with what appear to be a full set of internal charts. 7″ x 6″ x 2.5″. We’ve attached a link from the Foticos Collection site that show another example of this instrument in use: https://www.instagram.com/foticos.collection/reel/DFK0C9kRHoX/ “Invented in 1906 by Henry Armaignac, this autosynoptometer is undoubtedly the most sophisticated of all medical stereoscopes based on binocular vision. It allows to interrogate and Read More...