Archives

~FINE AND COMPLETE GYROSCOPE-NEWTON & Co.~

A fine and complete brass and bronze gyroscope signed “Newton & Co, 3 Fleet Street, LONDON” c.1855 All accessories, some old stringing missing, original inventory description in envelope, some areas of spotting to base but otherwise fine and functional. A marvel of engineering in it’s original pine box measuring 8 x 7 x 5 inches with slide out lid. Newton (William) & Co. were only at the Fleet Street address from 1851-57 according to Clifton. Read More...

A 19 century Daniell’s hygrometer on boxwood stand.

A 19 century Daniell’s hygrometer on boxwood stand. It consists of a turned boxwood base and stand screwed into the base, with a thermometer on the shaft and a glass tube hanging through the upper part.The double glass tube filled with ether and a bulb at either end, as explained below, contains a second thermometer.In completely original and working conditionThe Daniels hygrometer was invented to measure the relative humidity of the air and was notably used by Admiral Fitzroy during Read More...

Early 19th Century Withering simple microscope

This microscope is a late example of the first form of the Withering simple microscope.  With two circles of brass separated and supported by two pillars, the upper circle being free to slide up and down the pillars.  The lens held on a crosspiece at the top of the pillars is double.  Two mounted single lenses screwed together.  With accessories held between the two circles.  Case dimensions: 11,5 cm; diam.: 6 cm  Read More...

~Wm. HARRIS & Co. CULPEPER MICROSCOPE-RARE SIGNATURE~

A fine and rare Culpeper-type compound monocular signed “Wm. Harris & Co., 50 Holborn, LONDON & Hamburg(h)”sic. Custom order with brass bound corners to the base (export?). Full sized (15 inch) with pull out drawer and a near complete compliment of accessories (sans stage bullseye and one objective). 90% original lacquer, exquisite diagonal roping of the brass and original trade label in door of the pryramidal case measuring 16 x 7 x 7 inches at the base. Original hinges and Read More...

~UNIQUE CUFF-TYPE MONOCULAR by STERROP~(ON HOLD)

A fine and unique Cuff-type monocular compound microscope with double drawer construction (leaf or cobra decoration to base) in  pyramidal case with unusual handle. Standing 16 inches tall, the lacquering and machining is exquisite. Signed on the stage in a combination of block and script “G. Sterrop, Maker”, this microscope may have been a special order item.  Single sided mirror (beautiful lathe work to reverse), sliding double pillar construction with worm and screw fine focus, the optics are spectacular for Read More...

~SUPERB JONES MOST IMPROVED by DOLLOND~(SOLD)

A superb and complete example of a Jones most improved style microscope signed on the foot “Dollond, London”. Complete in every detail with 99% original golden lacquer. Every conceivable option of the day including a separately cased 2 inch Lieberkuhn. Cased with both eared side hooks intact. Rarely used. Lacquer loss is on the foot where the mirror pin struck the foot. Best on the market. Additional photos upon request. Read More...

C1820 BRASS ACORN FLEAGLASS MICROSCOPE, 4 SCREWABLE SECTIONS , 5 PARTS

THE REMOVABLE DOMED LID REVEALS SPECIMEN PIN AND LENS, LOWER SECTION CONTAINS, MONOCULAR AND LENS WITHIN THE BASE, SOME TARNISHING TO BRASS. Read More...

C1870 cased Lowne spirometer by Weiss

Lowne portable spirometer by Weiss & Son. The instrument and mahogany case are original. The tubing, mouthpiece and glass are replacements. Given that the case has no room for the glass, it was apparently sold separately or  clinicians supplied their own. “Spirometers were developed in England in the 1840s. They measured the ‘vital capacity’ of the lungs. This means the largest amount of air they can hold, which can indicate the health of the respiratory system. They also indicated improvement Read More...

Abney level & case – R.W. Wright, London.

An early 20th century Abney level with a brass scale & magnifyer with 1.5″ bubble level and 1.75″ compass with jewelled needle and locking bar, the compass with cardinal points and 360 degree outer circular  scale. The body is additionally engraved, ‘R.J. Money’ (presumably the owner). It has a bakelite eye-piece. With threaded stem for tripod mounting. In original lined leather case. Read More...

Coxeter’s Civil War Era Bullet Extractor

A fine example of Coxeter’s bullet extractor. Unsigned but identical to the example shown in the 1870 the Coxeter & Son’s catalog. The instrument was introduced by Coxeter at an earlier date. An example can be found in Weiss’s 1863 catalog. It was used for extracting Minnie balls not musket balls. The Coxeter catalog cut shows the instrument with a Minié ball in place. British instruments were used by both sides during the American Civil War. For a discussion Read More...

Artificial Horizon – Negretti & Zambra. Lacking bottle.

An antique late Victorian artificial horizon for sextant navigation by Negretti & Zambra and in it’s original fitted wooden case : the instrument comprising a shallow cast iron tray with a small pierced hole to one corner (for decanting) and a brass ‘tent’ shaped cover with twin sloping glazed panels, one edge signed ‘Negretti & Zambra London’, and all in it’s original fitted mahogany case with lock (no key) and twin catches, circa 1800s. Please Note – the mercury Read More...

SOLD – Small size – Portable astronomical telescope with equatorial mount.

SOLD – A brass astronomical / surveyors telescope with an equatorial mount, no makers marks, in original fitted wooden case (no key). The base has a small threaded hole for mounting (no stand present), a revolving prismatic compass with transit lock and push up prism, and connects to the lower arm via a thumbsrew pivot and an adjustable ‘arrangement’ below. The lower arm has twin tiny bubble levels and is connected to a counter weighted upper arm, on which, the Read More...