Archives

~VERY GOOD ELECTRUM PROTRACTOR-K&E, NY~

A very good 6/7 inch electrum metal rectangular protractor with fully divided scales for degrees, inches, minutes, etc.  Both English (Gunter) and American scales and conversions chart in lid of the pine, hinged case. End bruises on protractor (2 corners), otherwise fine and legible scales. Made/Patented by Keuffel and Essex of NY. Designed by George T. Keith.  A most unusual instrument. Case measures 8 x 4 x 1/2 thick. Read More...

~KNY-SCHEERER Co. NY- TREPANNING BRACE AND BITS-EXTENSIVE~

A fine set of Murphy’s bone drills and universal brace with multiple additions from the KNY Scheerer catalogue of 1915. Used for trepanation, this nickel set was $42.50 without the additional 6 reamers (at $3.50 each), the extra bits (elevator, etc.)  and the 10 bone plates (some blued, others plated @ $.50 each) totalling close to $100 at that time. Factoring in for inflation and depreciation of the US dollar, this equates to $3000 US today ! Wooden finger jointed Read More...

Sotheby’s Auction Catalogue, January 10 2001-The Magnificent Scientific Library of Joseph A Freilich (All book sales go to Medecins sans Frontiere charity)

Sotheby’s catalogue,475 pages, 569 lots, Fully illustrated Read More...

M37 Torpedo steering gyroscope

M37 Torpedo steering gyroscope, USA, circa 1960. Naval Torpedo Station, Keyport, Washington. Height: 21 cm. Diameter: 15.5 cm.     The Mark 37 torpedo is a 19″ diameter torpedo with electrical propulsion, developed for the US Navy after World War II. It entered service with the US Navy in the early 1950s. It was phased out of service with the US Navy during the 1970s. The guidance of a Mk37 was done by a gyroscope control during the initial part of its trajectory, where the Read More...

Late 19th C. Bausch & Lomb Microscope Camera Lucida

A late 19th cased camera lucida for use with a microscope by Bausch & Lomb in its original signed case. The back of the mirror is also signed and both pieces have the same serial number. Instrument is in excellent condition. The case shows restoration, including the hinge, which is in working order. Length of case: 7.25 inches or 18cm approx.  Read More...

Gilded Mid-19th C. Amputation Saw by Goulding, NY

A fine example of a scarce American, mid-19th-century, amputation saw with a gilt-brass handle and frame cast in the Baroque style. The frame is lightly struck “GOULDING & CO/NEW YORK ” on both sides. Total length: 13.75″ or 34 cm. approx. There are  lines of light corrosion where the blade joins the frame; o/w the saw is in very good condition. The original gilding remains remarkably bright after more than a century and a half. Dating from the 1840s/1850s, Read More...

Bartlett’s Binaural Stethoscope

Bartett’s c1880s binaural stethoscope by “TIEMANN & CO/N.YORK.” We’ve had examples of Camman, Knight and  Denison  binaural stethoscopes but never previously a Bartlett. It is in very good condition but lacks the hard-rubber ear pieces. The cut is from the 1889 Tiemann Armamentarium  Read More...

Hermann’s 1907 Patent Surgical Instrument Holder

A very rare example of Hermann’s surgical-instrument holder, which was patented in the US on October 8, 1907, and is so marked. This finely crafted case and holder includes all the instruments necessary for minor surgery. It could be carried in a doctor’s bag,  pocket or key ring and was easily sterilized. Each instrument could be removed from the holder and inserted in the holder, which also served as a handle–see third image. It is complete and in excellent Read More...

Two C1920 Contraceptive sponges

Two  c1920s contraceptive sponges in their original cases (diameter of each case= 1.75″ approx.).The marine sponge was held in cotton netting with a  string  attached to aid in its extraction. The case on the left is cardboard; the other one is lithographed tin. They were  sold as a “Sanitary Health Sponges”, or similar,  because promoting  them as a birth-control device would have violated the 19th-century law regarding what could be shipped through the mails: the so-called Comstock Laws.* Such Read More...

Unusual C1900 Metal-Mounted False Teeth

An unusual set of C1900 metal-mounted false teeth. The teeth are porcelain. The metal has not bee tested but may be German Silver. These teeth were found in the USA but that is all we can say about their country of origin. No condition issues. Read More...

Four C1900 Pocket-Nasal Inhalers

A nice selection of  late 19th and early 20th century American pocket inhalers for asthma and nasal congestion. Read More...

~EXCELLENT FLIP TYPE TRIAL LENS PAIR OPTOMETER~

An excellent 8 inch paired, flip type trial lens set/optometer with French ivory handle c.1920. Perfect lenses marked +/- 0.25, bright nickelled steel square shaft, flawless handle. Minor corrosion to the hilt (see photo). marked AO (Aloe? American Optical?)? At least 100 years old. Great display piece for the optometrist. Read More...