North America Archives - Page 2 of 13

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A charming and rare card ready reckoner in good condition noting some pencil annotations and some staining on each set of discs from contact with metal rivets Read More...

16 Jan

Three Stylus Driven Calculators

By Fletcher

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“The Golden Gem”- serial number 30005, marked “Pat. Mar. 1-04-Mar 2-06 Mar 19-07” and “Automatic Adding Machine Co. New York, USA -no stylus In good working order The Standard Desk Calculimeter,marked on side “PAT DEC 17’01-in reasoble condition, some of the dials a bit sticky-quite an uncommon calculator-American-no stylus The ‘Brical’ English money adding calculator in good condition in original case with stylus Read More...

12 Jan

Palmer’s Computing Scale

By Fletcher

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An example of Palmer’s Computing scale,heavy duty card in good condition-with a rather scruffy but complete set of paper instructions. The cover is very distressed and and the spine is detached. inserted in the cover is an unrelated chsrt ‘analytical table of mechanical movements’. The cover is embossed ‘Fuller’s Computing Telegraph’ Read More...

11 Jan

The Webb Adder

By Fletcher

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An example of the first version of the Webb adder-stylus driven but missing the stylus otherwise in good working order Read More...

10 Jan

Soresi’s 1924-5 Patent Blood Transfusion Apparatus

By M and R Gordon

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A rare example of Soresi’s arm-to-arm transfusion apparatus, for which he held two patents (see links below): one issued in 1924 and the other in 1925. Unlike the Braun apparatus, which was produced in large quantities for the German military during WW2),and which we see frequently offered on the Internet , the Soresi apparatus was not widely used by the US military and few examples seem to have survived. The one we are offering is largely complete, as a Read More...

10 Jan

Early brass Stadimeter, WWI era – Keuffel & Esser Co, New York, 1918

By ARCHIPEL International Maritime Gallery

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Early stadimeter made of brass in full working order. It’s complete with box of mahogany and adjustment instructions in the lid. That the instrument is made of untreated brass, the case is made of mahogany and the no. 352, indicates that it is a very early instrument. Felt has not yet been used. The stadimeter or optical range finder, was developed in the 1890s by Bradley Allen Fiske and designed to determine the distance to other warships. Like a sextant, Read More...

29 Dec

Dr. Butler’s 1881 Patent Electro-Magnetic Device for Medical Use

By M and R Gordon

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Dr. Butler’s Patent “Electro-Magnetic Device for Medical Use” was granted a US patent on February 1, 1881. ( pat. 237,167)–see last image. This example appears to be working but it would benefit from a little loving care. There is also a superb example of this device on Fleaglass but there is a very substantial price difference between the two. Our example is probably bit earlier, as evidenced by the fact that handle is as shown in the patent drawing. Read More...

23 Dec

Instruments of Science, an Historical Encyclopedia

By ARCHIPEL International Maritime Gallery

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This authoritative work on the history of scientific instruments brings together information from hundreds of primary sources and specialized studies. Written by 223 scientists, instrument designers, and historians, the Encyclopedia’s 327 entries cover instruments from the dawn of science to the present and examine devices designed for cutting-edge research. For each instrument it is explained how a device works, how it is used, who developed it and what it looks like. The Encyclopedia is the first reference work to Read More...

14 Dec

C1883 first small electric lamp used in surgery

By M and R Gordon

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Edison invented the electric bulb in 1879. A few years later (c1883) a doctor in Brooklyn NY, R.W. St. Clair, introduced what has been described as the first small electric lamp to be used in surgery (The Medical Summary, Vo. 10, June 1884:76). https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Medical_Summary/9H2-z5et6yEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=The+st+clair+electric+lamp&pg=RA3-PA76&printsec=frontcover While most often used in the examination of the throat it had other applications as well. We are offering a scarce and complete example of this instrument–the power source was a battery that presumably was sold separately. Read More...

09 Dec

Naval Course Corrector – USMC, WWII era

By ARCHIPEL International Maritime Gallery

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Course Corrector of the United States Maritime Commission fixed in original wood box. The device is a ten inch disk of three rings and has an indicator arm with two thumb screws. The device is used to assist calculating true, magnetic or compass course base upon variation and deviation. Date: 1940 – 1950HWL case: 4.5x30x30 cmD corrector: 25.5 cmSigned: not signedOrigin: USA More nautical instruments can be seen at www.archipel-img.comCondition: in good and working condition, wear consistent with age and use Read More...

29 Nov

A late 19th-century esthesiometer

By M and R Gordon

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A late 19th-century esthesiometer , likely a variant of Sieveking’s model, similar to the one used by Cesare Lombroso in his influential study “Criminal Man” (1876)–see third image, which is taken from his book. Lombroso believed that criminals had a higher threshold for touch and pain. Using an esthesiometer, and other devices, he claimed to have confirmed this. Esthesiometers are currently part of the neurologist’s armamentarium. In very good cosmetic and mechanical condition. Quoting from Wiki: “An esthesiometer (British spelling aesthesiometer) is Read More...

26 Nov

Eigth-days Chronometer with rare carrying case – Waltham, Massachusetts, early 20th century

By ARCHIPEL International Maritime Gallery

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Eight-days marine chronometer made by Waltham, Massachusetts USA. The clock is mounted in a three-tier mahogany case with brass bands and a lift up glass cover. The case has a beautiful patina and can be locked with the original key. Inside with a lever to secure the gimbal during transport. The clock is wound by a knurled knob and has a power reserve of eight days. When pulled out this knob also sets the time.Clock and case are in Read More...