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Obstetrical anatomical model, German, possibly Bock-Steger

A great German obstetrical model, from the second half of 1800’s. It’s not branded but it definitely feels like a Bock-Steger production. Actually it comes from the University of Leipzig, where Karl Bock worked. It was stored in the house of a former professor for anatomy from Halle until last year and you can see in the photos its original conditions: I always love to see how such treasures can sleep for decades surviving oblivion, 2 World Wars, relocations… before being Read More...

Rare spirit fired locomotive of a Stirling No 1

A fine late 19th century spirit fired steam locomotive 4.25″ gauge  Stirling No 1,  4-2-2  Read More...

C1896 Variant of Weller’s Aseptic Anesthesia Mask

Variant of Weller’s Aseptic anesthesia Mask.This example appears to be German in origin and has a registry number that dates it to 1896. Our example was probably made some years later, as it is all metal–see below. It is in vg condition. The Wood Library of Anesthesia site, shows an earlier English version of this mask and provides the following details: “In 1868, two decades after the introduction of nitrous oxide anesthesia, Chicago surgeon Edmund Andrews, M.D. (1824-1904) advocated the Read More...

“Fructulet”: Nassauer’s 1920s Pessary for facilitating fertilization

“Fructulet”: Nassauer’s 1920s Pessary for facilitating fertilization. Length of instrument: 2.5″. Box and instrument in vg condition. Donna J. Drucker, in her 2023 MIT Press monograph FERTILITY TECHNOLOGY,  notes: ” To take another example, the Munich-based gynecologist Dr. MaxNassauer (1869–1931) encouraged patients to use a pessary that hedesigned, the Fructulet, which had a flat base to occlude the vaginal canaland a stem that kept the cervix open so that sperm were not blocked fromreaching the uterus. Nassauer’s Fructulet was subject to Read More...

Anatomical model of the head by Marcus Sommer

A rare anatomical model of the head by Marcus Sommer (Germany), from the late 1800’s. Hand painted papier machè on wooden pedestal, hand written Italian labels, in perfect condition. Life size of the head, total height is 48 cm. Read More...

C1920 “Super-Echoskop” All-Metal Stethoscope

An near-mint “Super-Echoskop”,  all-metal binaural  stethoscope in its original labeled box.We have been unable to find the maker but the example on offer was retailed by Walter Fullenback in Jena. The scope complete and retains the diaphragm cover. The rubber ear pieces show slight deterioration, but otherwise it is superb condition Read More...

1930s Skeletal Traction Pin Set by Jetter & Scheerer

We had listed this set previously but without a specific description. Thanks to the kind help of orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tom Karnezis, whom we paraphrase and quote below, we’ve learned that this a device employing skeletal traction pins to “keep the bones close to each other and at length allowing them to get “sticky” and heal in alignment  and proper rotation. Skeletal traction pins were usually inserted at bedside to provide balanced skeletal traction.Once the bone heals with +?- Read More...

C1910 binaural stethoscope w. glass ear pieces in original wooden case

A good C1910 binaural stethoscope in original wooden case. Likely German in origin and C1910 in date. Excellent condition, noting that factory-provided tubing had hardened and become brittle; we replaced it with similar supple tubing. Original ear pieces are glass. Read More...

1805 Silver Phrenology Medal: Franz Joseph Gall

Issued in Berlin in 1805 , this rare silver medal celebrates the achievement of Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828). One side with a profile bust of Gall, the other with a skull. The skull is not demarcated into the 27 faculties he “discovered”. Inscriptions in Latin : “Distribvit Partes Animae Sedesqve Auditor Berolinens 1805″ and on the other side: “Josepho Gall Organ In Cerebro Scrutatori.” Below the bust is the monogram “AR”, presumably the initials of the sculpture who created Read More...

OPISOMETERS TO CHOOSE FROM

Rolling Rules by the Dozen, German, c. mid-20th c., the 12-1/2″ x 11-3/4″ (32 x 30 cm) fabric-covered fitted wood case containing a salesman’s full diversity of 14 opisometers. Most have plated brass handles and mounts, and colored paper dials (recording Inches to Miles or Centimeters to Kilometers, or Nautical Miles, or Russian Verstes, etc.), and are two-sided. Each has a small rolling wheel geared to the hand(s), in order to measure, and convert, distances on a chart or Read More...

16th century silver German perpetual calendar

A 16th century German perpetual calendar with four rotating discs and one fixed disc with extremely detailed engravings. The calandrium perpetuum is in excellent working condition, and the extreme decorations give something price of the Christian owner who remembered general Christian holidays and the St. Bartholomew’s Massacre in 1572. On the front January to June are engraved, on the back July to December. Each month features engraved dates of saints and Christian holidays. The remarkable is 24 August, which refers Read More...

Wooden interference device with table E Leybolds

Wooden interference device with table E Leybolds For visualizing lines via vibration e.g. with fine sand Table 10cm high ( 22X 12 cm ) Device 32 cm high in total with device 42 cm high  Read More...