Archives

Mackenzie’s Laryngeal Electrode, C1880

A scarce example of Mackenzie’s Laryngeal Electrode for paralyses of the vocal chords. See cut from 1889 Tiemann Armamentarium for more applications. No maker indicated. Read More...

Kelsey’s Pile Forceps

A good example of Kelsey’s pile forceps. Shown in 1915 KNY-Scheerer 1915 catalog but introduced earlier. Length: 10″ or 25cm. Read More...

Set of Ferguson’s Vaginal Speculums

Set of Ferguson’s Vaginal Speculums in hard rubber. The largest is 6.25″ in length.  The set is in very good condition noting that one speculum has a hairline crack or old repair.See last image. The cut is from a KNY-Scheerer 1915 catalog but Ferguson’s speculums were introduced in the second half of the 19th-century.  Read More...

Collection of hearing devices ear trumpets from Boston and Paris, among others,

Collection of hearing devices ear trumpets from Boston and Paris, among others, in good undamaged condition . One is a so called conversation tube all are ca 100 years and more old  €125.- a piece or € 450,- for the collection ( 4 pieces ) Read More...

“IMPROVEMENT IN HAMMOCK-EYES” — SECURE SUPPORT FOR THE SLEEPING SAILOR

Comfort in the Sailor’s Bunk, American, 1878, signed on the 2″ (5 cm) diameter brass fitting “Union Web, Gloucester, Mass.” The two-part fitting is designed to partially encompass a braid of hammock strings. for secure mounting at each end. The fitting is complete with a considerable quantity of the red and white strings, plus the original patent office tags. Condition is good noting some wear. This is the original example submitted by Thomas Tresilian of the sea-faring town of Gloucester, Read More...

Dench’s Improved Tuning Fork by Meyrowitz: Hearing Testing

A fine example of Dench’s Improved Tuning Fork. Among its uses was hearing testing.    Edward B. Dench, MD (1863-1936) was an eminent ear specialist and professor of otology at NYU and Bellevue. He was a prolific author ​of books and articles in this area. This ​i​s large​ (13.5″​)​ and ​high-quality instrument with adjustable weights. It was made by Meyowitz and retains its original ​signed ​case with instructions. I Read More...

CAST-IRON STRING HOLDER:

C1900 medicine advertising string holder marked  “SSS for the Blood”. From an old apothecary shop or chemist, used at counter to dispense string for parcel wrapping. Pot was hung by bale and string was pulled from hole on bottom. Bale is original  & the cauldron may have had a repaint at sometime. Height: 4″ or 10cm ,with bale down. It weighs 3lbs From Wiki: “Charles Thomas Swift (December 10, 1846 in Morgan County, Georgia – December 30, 1890 in Atlanta) was a prominent Atlanta businessman who Read More...

Early 20th-Century Cased Ear Protectors

An early-20th century set of ear protectors. the case is stamped “SAFETY EYE & EAR PROTECTION CO, 26 CORTLAND ST, NEW YORK.” We can find no record of this company. An unusual form. Probably for use in shooting or in  an factory setting. See image for condition. Read More...

Late 19th C. Nasal Snares

 A pair of late 19th century nasal snares: one straight, the other angled–both in excellent condition. No maker evident. They were used for excising nasal polyps. The straight one measures 6″ (15cm) in length. Similar examples can be seen on the Wellcome Collection site, which they date 1866-1901: https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co167007/nasal-polypus-snare Read More...

Early 20th C. Mosler Mica Spark Plug Paperweight

An early 20th-century advertising paperweight for Mosler Vesuvious spark plugs, consisting of an actual  Mosler Vesuvious mica spark plug mounted on a heavy steel plinth. Height 2″(5cm) ; diameter of base 2″ (5cm). Mosler, working in New York City, was a pioneer producer of spark plugs. The plug on the paperweight is working example Wrenchwiki notes: “A R Mosler was an early manufacturer of spark plugs. Arthur R Mosler built a two-cycle engine in 1900. The engine would run well for Read More...

Spicer’s Infant Urinal by Sharp & Smith, Chicago

A very rare example of Spicer’s Infant Urinal by Sharp & Smith, which was “…used to collect urine specimen from infants. It would have been sterilized between uses.” S&S moved into their 65 E. Lake St address in 1929, so i would date this as having been made in the 1930s. The box is soiled and the is a small patch of slight roughness around the opening of the urinal. The box is 2″ or 5cm cube. Read More...

Bucklin’s Tool for Pivoting Watch-Wheels, Patented 1875

Frank S. Bucklin, of East Tilton, New Hampshire, received a patent on May 8, 1875  ( number: 164,714) for his tool for pivoting watch-wheels. It appears to be incomplete–see patent drawing and description. Length: 5.35″.  Read More...