MYSTERY OPTICAL DEVICE,
Stock Number: 8185
$195.
For sale, an antique mystery made of turned boxwood, with blackened interior and 45-degree glass prism. Held to the eye it gives very clear magnified reversed view at right angles.
Dimensions
2-3/4 (7 cm)
Circa
c.1900
Country of manufacture
UK and Ireland
Description
MYSTERY OPTICAL DEVICE, possibly English, c. 1900. Measuring 2-3/4″ (7 cm) overall, this unusual “instrument” is made of turned boxwood, blackened on the interior, and set with a 45-degree glass prism ground and polished convex on the inner end. Held to the eye, this viewer gives a very clear magnified reversed view at right angles, in focus at a distance of 3″ from the prism. A mystery, in excellent condition.
Ask the Dealer
Dealer information
TESSERACT
David and Yola Coffeen both have enjoyed academic careers, as planetary astronomer and as linguist/educator. But since 1982 (yes, 1982!) they have been full-time dealers in early scientific and medical instruments, under the name Tesseract. Selling primarily by catalogue (over 100 issued so far) they also have a web presence at www.etesseract.com, and can be contacted at [email protected].
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