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The Seed Microscope, ca. 1850

During the Enlightenment era and the Age of Exploration, science gained popularity among the public, who were becoming more literate and interested in education and knowledge. This growing interest contributed to the development of print culture and the spread of scientific learning. In Britain, organizations such as the Royal Institution were established to promote the introduction and dissemination of useful mechanical inventions and improvements. These organizations also aimed to teach the application of science to everyday life through philosophical Read More...

Silver Lancet Case, Birmingham 1891

An English, bright cut engraving of flowers and foliage, by A H Tongue, hallmarked Birmingham 1891, with two thumb lancets by Maw, London, case 7cm. Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com  Read More...

English 19th century beautiful and rare candle blue silk fan screen light shade by C.W. Dixey”

English, c. 1873, signed on case: “C.W. Dixey, Optician to the Queen, 3 New Bond Street, London.”   A lacquered brass telescopic rod with swivel joint: 77cm full extended; 53 cm closed. 30 cm diameter circular blue silk shade folding to fit on the case. It comes in his original signed case, and  with handwritten name of owner and datation: 3 May 1873. Condition is very fine. Used to shield one’s eyes from the direct light from a candle, can shade the microscopist’s eyes from a bright Read More...

ENGLISH HORIZONTAL DIAL BY W & S JONES

SHIPPING BY FEDEX, UPS, PARCEL FORCE. FULLY TRACKED.  Contact Email:  michaelread060@gmail.com Read More...

Small antique brass microscope c1900. Medical scientific.

A small Victorian brass microscope c1900. The microscope mirror is concave, complete and in working order and good condition with a rack and pinion focussing mechanism, there is an inclination joint which allows the microscope to be angled for more comfortable viewing when seated, it also features a bullseye condenser on a jointed arm, used to focus more light. The Microscope stands 24cm (9.45″) high before being extended, 26.5cm (10.43″) after being extended.    Read More...

LATE 17TH CENTURY SECTOR BY WORGAN

SHIPPING, POSTAGE ARRANGED, FULLY TRACKED.  Contact Email:  michaelread060@gmail.com Read More...

Rochette Père, Paris, Rococo-styled Ormolu microscope employing Martin’s optics

There is a blurry signature on the brass plate attached to the wooden baseplate:Rochette Quai de l’Horloge ParisAt this address, two manufacturers, a father and son, operated with the names Rochette Père and Rochette Jeune. Gaspard Rochette (1754–1822) is Rochette Père, while Rochette Jeune refers to Jean Rochette (fl. 1817-1860), who worked in the first half of the 19th century. Although Jean Rochette signed several microscopes, Gaspard Rochette is not known for making optical instruments. The Rococo style and Read More...

An Early Mid-17th Century Pocket Bone Fixed Focus Galilean Telescope/Spyglass

Between the late 17th century and the first half of the 18th century, pocket-sized optical compendia gained popularity. Initially, around the second half of the 17th century, these included small Galilean telescopes, often made from bovine metatarsal bones and sometimes from wood. Archaeological excavations have uncovered such items, all dating to the 17th century and found in contexts from the mid-17th to early 18th centuries, primarily in Dutch or English settings. Many of these telescopes are linked to maritime Read More...

Sliding Spike Pocket Microscope in Fitted Sharkskin Etui

A Common Flower or Insect Microscope refers to a type of simple, portable microscope that was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. These microscopes were often designed to fold and could be easily carried by naturalists to examine specimens such as insects and flower parts. Typically, they featured either a single or dual eye lens and had spike-stand or folding designs.   Payment methods available: 1. GBP direct bank transfer (UK bank, no fees). 2. PayPal (please include a Read More...

McArthur Lying Drop Slide in Original Case

This is a lying drop slide made from aluminium and measures 76mm X 25mm and has an aperture of 16mm in diameter. A round coverslip is glued to the base of the aperture. This type of slide was produced to perform automatic focusing, where the shallow thickness of the coverslip enables the specimens to be (almost) always in focus when using various objectives. Read More...

Antique syringe. Surgical, medical.

Antique surgical syringe from the early 20th century by Charles Ferris of Bristol. Fashioned from chromed solid metal it would have been used for such purposes as wound irrigation and enemas, when large-bore syringes were needed. The component parts top and bottom unscrew and the plunger moves smoothly up and down. The catalogue page shown is from Thackray catalogue of the time.  A nice clean example. The syringe measures 24.5cm (9.75″) in length when closed. Read More...

Antique brass microscope with case c1900. Medical scientific.

An antique cased brass microscope by R & J Beck Ltd (London) with the number 29092 and with three objectives in metal cases. A really nice example of precision engineering in working order. There is a break to the front of the slide plate, otherwise in good order. This is a compound microscope made from lacquered brass with a continental horseshoe base which is solid brass. The substage double-sided mirror is attached via a gimbal arm to a swinging Read More...