North America Archives - Page 12 of 15

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CRAIG-FORM HIGH POWER MICROSCOPE, American, c. 1870. This 4-1/2″ (11 cm) tall white metal microscope is a vertical drum form with articulated plane mirror. But unlike the typical compound drum form, here a special high power lens is mounted at the top, and the specimen slide is mounted immediately below. Condition is fine. In 1862 Craig received patent #34,409 for his simple microscope comprising a high power lens mounted just above the specimen slide slot, atop a vertical cylinder housing Read More...

31 Aug

DOUBLE SIDED OPTOMETRIST’S TRADE SIGN

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DOUBLE SIDED OPTOMETRIST’S TRADE SIGN, American, early 20th century, lettered “Dr. Jerome Hoyt, Optometrist” on both sides in gold on black sand. With its rectangular wooden frame, it measures 43″ x 12-1/2″ x 1-5/8″ (109 x 32 x 4 cm) overall, and is fitted with two large iron eyes for hanging. In good condition throughout, this is a fine example of the kind of trade sign hung along the streets of late 19th / early 20th century American cities. The Read More...

31 Aug

SPINAL CURVATURE DEMONSTRATED — ROTATION ACCOMPANYING LATERAL CURVATURE

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SPINAL CURVATURE DEMONSTRATED — ROTATION ACCOMPANYING LATERAL CURVATURE, probably American, late 19th century. This remarkable working anatomical “model” is constructed of human vertebrae, spring-supported, mounted in a fine columnar wood stand and measuring 20″ (51 cm) overall. Presentation plaques record its donation to a New York medical institution by a Dr. A.B. Judson, and its demonstration of “The Cause of Rotation in Lateral Curvature of the Spine, first seen by Andrew Dods, M.D., London, 1824.” Eighteen vertebrae are supported Read More...

28 Aug

DR. JOHN BUTLER’S ELECTRO-MASSAGER

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DR. JOHN BUTLER’S ELECTRO-MASSAGER, American, c. 1885, stamped “Pat¹d. Feb 1, 81.” Measuring 8-5/8″ (22 cm) in overall length, this hand powered device combines physical massage with the benefits of electro-therapy. Constructed of plated brass and iron, it has a chamois-covered cylindrical massage roller which drives, through approximately 23:1 gearing, an electromagnet’s double coil against a permanent magnet. The handle, coated in hard rubber, is in fact the large permanent magnet. The roller, when moistened, is one electrode in Read More...

27 Aug

EARLY AMERICAN ORTHOPEDIC OUTFIT FOR REDUCING DISLOCATIONS AND FRACTURES

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EARLY AMERICAN ORTHOPEDIC OUTFIT FOR REDUCING DISLOCATIONS AND FRACTURES, c. 1845, signed “Manufactured by H. & G. Kellogg, Derby, Conn.” Contained in the 15″ (38 cm) wide walnut carrying case is a complete traction outfit, with folding doubly-expandable wood splint, various supports and clamps in polished steel some with chamois leather bindings, canvas straps, and the fine 13-3/4″ long (minimum) ratcheting mechanism in lacquered brass and steel. It is all of high quality craftsmanship and in fine condition throughout. Patented Read More...

04 Aug

MANUAL BREAST PUMP

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MANUAL BREAST PUMP, American or English, c. second quarter 20th century, measuring 5-3/4″ (15 cm) overall. The hand-blown glass body has a flared conical shape, with bulbous reservoir to one side, and is fitted with a now-quite-hard rubber bulb. Designed expressly to stimulate milk production, and to collect breast milk for bottle feeding, the pump is in fine condition. Read More...

04 Aug

FOWLER’S CURVED URETHRAL SOUNDS

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FOWLER’S CURVED URETHRAL SOUNDS, American, c. 1885, signed on the case label “C.E. Riker, 1227 Broadway, N.Y.” This is a complete set of six double-ended finely-polished metal sounds in graduated sizes, all contained in the original 12-3/8″ (31 cm) long leather bound wood case. Condition is very fine, the case exterior a bit rough. An identical set is listed in a late 19th century Sharp and Smith catalogue, as “Dr. Fowler’s set of sounds” having “the regular Van Buren curve Read More...

02 Aug

GROSS’ BULLET FORCEPS

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GROSS’ BULLET FORCEPS, American, late 19th century, signed “Tiemann & Co.,” 9-3/8″ (24 cm) long, of polished steel. These slim forceps terminate in a sharply toothed open cup and a toothed finger for securely gripping a lead ball (whether round or conical), or a steel covered bullet. But when closed, they present a blunt end, for delicate probing. Condition is very fine noting minor rust spotting. Dr. Samuel Gross was a prolific inventor, represented by no less than 17 Read More...

16 Jul

CHEEK RETRACTOR

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CHEEK RETRACTOR, American, c. 1900, bearing the “SWS” logo of the S.S. White Dental Mfg. Co. of Philadelphia. Measuring 5-1/2″ (14 cm) overall, this dental device has a very smoothly recurved pulling surface, and a lovely grained turned wood handle. Unusual, and in excellent condition. Read More...

19 Jun

IMPORTANT GRIFFITH CLUB PRESENTATION OUTFIT

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IMPORTANT GRIFFITH CLUB PRESENTATION OUTFIT, American, c.1881, signed on the rotator/base with a fine presentation “With Regards of the Inventor, to Hon. Lewis Lawrence, Utica, N.Y”.; on the main tube “Griffith Club Microscope;” and on the objective “E. Gundlach.” The outfit stows compactly in its 7-3/4″ x 6″ x 3-1/2″ (20 x 15 x 9 cm) velvet lined wood case. Extending to a maximum height of 15-1/2″ (39 cm) when assembled, the microscope is made of golden lacquered brass Read More...

25 May

PERPETUAL CALENDAR MADE FOR THE COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION

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PERPETUAL CALENDAR MADE FOR THE COLUMBIAN EXHIBITION, American, 1892, signed “Perpetual Calendar, Patd. 1891 & 1892 by W.W. Kitchen.” Made of aluminum, 1-3/16″ (3 cm) in diameter, the disk bears on one side a raised profile of Christopher Columbus, and on the other a calendar marking every seventh day of each month. At the center is inset a brass volvelle with the days of the week. Setting this volvelle once per year allows direct readout of the day of Read More...

02 May

Burwell’s Boston Paragon Lung Protector Vest

By M and R Gordon

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What could be a more apt in the time of Covid19 than a lung protector? G. Burwell was described in an 1883 Boston commercial directory as a “pharmaceutical chemist and agent for the sale of drugs, chemicals,etc.” He advertised his ” Boston Paragon Lung Protector Vest ” in the November 1878 issue of Druggists Circular (see link that follows)and claimed that it was “the perfect safeguard against coughs, colds and chest affections[sic] ever invented.” The exterior is chamois and Read More...