North America Archives

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A c1890 quack electro-galvanic belt. Claims by sellers of this type of belt were ambitious. They supposedly could cure anything from, from ED to rheumatism and even, in some case, life-threatening diseases. There is no maker’s name on this belt and the 1888 patent date on the buckle is more likely for the buckle than the belt. Overall condition is pretty good but the cloth covering on the wires is worn in spots. Read More...

31 Aug

Spencer Lens Co. Microscope Brochure c1920 – Issued by UK Agents Hawksley & Sons

By Arcboutant Scientific

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Offered for sale is a copy of the 1920 Spencer Lens Co. product catalogue running to 114 pages with 2-page index of contents. It’s dated 1920 and was issued in the UK by Spencer’s sales agents who at the time were Hawksley & Sons of Wigmore Street, London. This makes the brochure quite rare, especially in this condition and quite a collectable find. The book will be well wrapped and shipped by Royal Mail. Thanks for looking. Read More...

31 Aug

~RARE AND FINE BAUSCH AND LOMB PETROGRAPHIC MONOCULAR MICROSCOPE~

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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Standing 14 inches tall (16 inches fully racked), this instrument was intended to be an easy to use petrographic model for the student or professional. Made to the specifications dictated by George H. Williams, professor of minerology and inorganic chemistry at John Hopkins Hospital/University, it exhibits a few innovations of the time. c.1890. Bearing patent dates of 1876 and 1885, it is a pleasing combination of black enamel and bright, golden lacquer (99% intact). Three leg design (chips to feet), double Read More...

29 Aug

US Navy bronze ship’s anchor, dated 1941.

By Hatchwell Antiques

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A World War II era US Navy bronze ship’s anchor, dated 1941. The anchor’s flukes are marked: USN and 1941 The stock of the anchor has a removeable shackle and chain. Height of anchor with chain: 100.5 cm. Height of anchor with out chain: 44 cm. Approx. weight: 9 kilos. Read More...

15 Aug

Healy Pictorial Completion Test II

By M and R Gordon

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We are offering an example of a Healy Pictorial Completion Test II that was used for measuring intelligence. It is in very good good condition and retains its original case (11″ x 11″ x 1.5″). The illustrations were done by Marguerite Davis, a well-known children’s book illustrator, who was active in the early decades of the last century. It was copyrighted in 1917 by the Judge Baker Foundation, which is still in operation today. ” The “Judge Baker Foundation” Read More...

09 Aug

1888 Patent Gonorrheal Apron: mint and boxed

By M and R Gordon

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Before the introduction of antibiotics in the 1940s, there was no truly effective cure for gonorrhea. Mercury, silver nitrate and heat were used but the their effectiveness was questionable and they came with risks of toxicity and other issues. As a result some men suffered from chronic gonorrhea with its associated discharge, the latter sometimes referred to as “gleet”(this term was also used for the disease itself). On January 3, 1888 W.F. Ware patented ( patent number : 0375846) Read More...

04 Aug

1940s Metabolic Rate Calculating Slide Rule

By M and R Gordon

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A metal slide rule produced by the Jones Metabolism Equipment Company.It is marked in part “JONES METABOLISM EQUIPMENT CO” and “CHICAGO, ILLINOIS” on the back side, plus it has the directions for use on the back side.The front has two slides, and is designed to calculate percentage metabolic rate from the various inputs.Overall length is about 11-1/4″. The body appears to be aluminum, and the slides are probably anodized aluminum. A magnet is not attracted to any part of Read More...

30 Jul

Hartz’s Uterine Dilators and Electrodes

By M and R Gordon

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A handsomely cased and complete set of Hartz’s uterine dilators and electrodes by Keniston & Root, working in Los Angeles. Length of case: 10.5″. In excellent condition throughout. Not much information is available about K&R. They are not in Edmundson. Davis & Dreyfuss list a catalog they published in 1922 and the firm placed an ad in the November 9, 1921 edition of the LOS ANGELES HERALD. ” The Tizzano Museum site shows a near-identical set that is described Read More...

30 Jul

Unusual Ebonite Sick Siphon with Internal Mechanism

By M and R Gordon

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The classic 19th-century sick siphon is essentially a hollow tube that acts as a straw. Silver appears to have been the most commonly used material. We have one up on Fleaglass. This one has a couple of unusual features. For one thing it is fabricated from Ebonite (also known as “Vulcanite”: a hard rubber made by means of vulcanization). It’s most unusual feature is its mechanism. Internally, it has a valve consisting of a tiny Ebonite rod that drops down, Read More...

24 Jun

Unusual Cupping Set With Breast Pump

By M and R Gordon

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A cupping set that includes a breast pump. While we’re sure that other sets with breast pumps exist, this is the first we’ve encountered. All three cups are original and fit firmly into the pump. The ten-blade scarificator, which works perfectly, is signed : “F.C. LEYPOLDT/PHILADELPHIA.” Edmondson notes that: “Several less-prominent Philadelphia instrument makers made their way in the trade by specializing in instruments employed for a particular kind of therapy. For example, Louis V. Helmold and Frederic C. Read More...

22 Jun

Army Locator’s Level Engineer’s Sighting Level by Swift & Anderson

By M and R Gordon

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C1930 Army Locator’s Level Engineer’s Sighting Level by Swift & Anderson of Boston, Massachusetts. Length 5.25″. Overall in vg condtion. Retains original box and instructions. Read More...

15 Jun

Keuffel and Esser Mannheim Slide Rule

By Fletcher

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A good example of a Keuffel and Esser Slide rule in all original packaging. Patented 5 June 1900, and in excellent condition Read More...