North America Archives - Page 3 of 14

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Nose shapers or “Rectificateurs” offered a reasonably priced alternative to those for whom plastic surgery was out of the question because of cost or anxiety over outcome. By donning this device, say before bedtime, and tightening the screws on the portions of the nose deemed in need of reshaping, the desired result could, at least in theory, be achieved.Our example date from the first quarter of the 20th century and is complete with original box and adjusting wrench. Probably Read More...

23 Oct

A rare example of a Vitilor Quack Water Processing Device

By M and R Gordon

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A rare example of a Vitilor water processing device. Height: 19″ as shown. The Vitalized Water Process Company of New York City claimed that this device converted water into a liquid with great curative properties. See excerpt below from “Nostrums and Quackery and Pseudo-Medicine” By Arthur J. Cramp, M.D.(1936:109): Vitilor.-This device was promoted by the Vitalized Water Process Company of New York City. A six-page leaflet compiled by Carolyn Scofield Smith and sent out to physicians and others stated, either Read More...

04 Oct

Camman Stethscope by Shepard & Dudley, NY

By M and R Gordon

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While identical to Camman stethoscopes used during the American Civil War , this example was made after 1870. Shepard & Dudley did not begin making medical and surgical instruments until they bought out William F. Ford’s surgical instrument company in 1870. One side of the of the flair on the chest piece has been professionally restored. It is barely visible from the exterior. I have Photshopped the image to make the repair very evident–see images. Read More...

27 Sep

Ohio Amputation Set, 2nd-Half of 19th Century

By M and R Gordon

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Ohio Amputation Set with checkered ebony handles by Autenrieth working in Cincinnati, second-half of the 19th century.. All but two instrument are signed by Autenrieth. The set contains a tenon saw, a finger saw, a Caitlin knife, a Liston knife, a tenaculum and a curved probe. The last two instruments are replacements. Original case retains hook and eye closures. Read More...

26 Sep

Anesthesia: 1950s Oxygen Regulator

By M and R Gordon

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Anesthesia: 1950s National Cylinder Gas Company Oxygen Regulator. Lacking an oxygen tank and the necessary expertise we have no idea it is working but it appears to be in VG condition. In any case, it is being sold for display only. Read More...

26 Sep

C1920s Patterson Circular Foreign-Body Fluoroscope

By M and R Gordon

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A scarce example of a C1920s Patterson Circular Foreign-Body Fluoroscope. It is complete and in nice condition,noting that one of the supports for the glass has separated (the glass remains securely in the frame) and that the exterior of the case shows evidence of use–see images. Length of instrument assembled, as shown in second image: 15″ or 37.5cm The Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity’s [ their example is incomplete] site notes: ” This circular hand-held fluoroscope was manufactured by the Read More...

26 Sep

1892 Patent Roy Indestructible Cautery in original case

By M and R Gordon

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Roy Indestructible Cautery in its original signed case: patented in the US on December 20, 1892. Overall in good condition, noting that the rubber bulb and tubing have perished. Read More...

02 Sep

Wonderful and Rare Circa 1895 Gurley Engineers Solar Transit

By The Compleat Surveyor

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I believe this Gurley Engineers Solar Transit was made circa 1895. Gurley apparently did not sell many Engineers Solar Transits. I have some production information for solar transits on my Gurley Maker Webpage. The information is incomplete, but it is a good representation of what Gurley was selling. From 1878 to 1885, excluding 1879, Gurley sold a total of 207 solar transits. Of the 207 STs, Gurley sold 164 Light Mountain STs, 30 Surveyor STs, and 13 Engineers STs. So Read More...

02 Sep

1869 Gurley Solar Telescope Compass – One of Two STC’s Known (Updated)

By The Compleat Surveyor

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This is the only privately-owned Gurley Solar Telescope Compass (STC) known. For the reasons discussed below, the STC offered here should be a Top of The Bucket List item, and it is very unlikely that you will ever see another one offered for sale. Rarity Gurley apparently did not sell many STCs. Gurley started offering STCs for sale in its 1858 Catalogue, sold very few instruments of any kind during the Civil War Years (1861 to 1865), and then stopped selling Read More...

23 Aug

1920s Vit-O-Net Quack

By M and R Gordon

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We are offering a c1920s Vit-O-Net quack “magnetic” blanket in excellent condition–no moth damage, tears or fading. One side is flannel, the other cotton broadcloth. It was sold as a cure for a variety of ailments ,but in 1930 the US Federal Trade Commission issued an order preventing the company from advertising it as having any medical benefits, saying that it was an electric blanket–no more no less! Dimensions: 60 inches by 75 inches approx. “William F. Craddock et al Read More...

07 Aug

Coxeter’s Civil War Era Bullet Extractor

By M and R Gordon

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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...

01 Aug

An unusual School or Pedagogical Andrew’s small Terrestrial globe, Chicago, circa 1880

By Le Zograscope

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An Unusual Andrew’s 13cm Terrestrial globe, American, circa 1880, the maker’s name printed ANDREW’S FIVE INCH TERRESTRIAL GLOBE, Manufactured by A.H. Andrews & Co., Chicago, Ill., the globe with hand colouring, hinged to open to hand coloured maps of the world. Alfred H. Andrews first produced globes from the 1860’s, after acquiring the Holbrook school apparatus company. Andrews became a prolific globemaker, producing globes ranging from 3 inches to 30 inches, primarily for schools and home education. The present example opens to Read More...