North America Archives - Page 6 of 15

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Edison invented the electric bulb in 1879. A few years later (c1883) a doctor in Brooklyn NY, R.W. St. Clair, introduced what has been described as the first small electric lamp to be used in surgery (The Medical Summary, Vo. 10, June 1884:76). https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Medical_Summary/9H2-z5et6yEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=The+st+clair+electric+lamp&pg=RA3-PA76&printsec=frontcover While most often used in the examination of the throat it had other applications as well. We are offering a scarce and complete example of this instrument–the power source was a battery that presumably was sold separately. Read More...

09 Dec

Naval Course Corrector – USMC, WWII era

By Archipel

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Course Corrector of the United States Maritime Commission fixed in original wood box. The device is a ten inch disk of three rings and has an indicator arm with two thumb screws. The device is used to assist calculating true, magnetic or compass course base upon variation and deviation. Date: 1940 – 1950HWL case: 4.5x30x30 cmD corrector: 25.5 cmSigned: not signedOrigin: USA More nautical instruments can be seen at www.archipel-img.comCondition: in good and working condition, wear consistent with age and use Read More...

29 Nov

A late 19th-century esthesiometer

By M and R Gordon

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A late 19th-century esthesiometer , likely a variant of Sieveking’s model, similar to the one used by Cesare Lombroso in his influential study “Criminal Man” (1876)–see third image, which is taken from his book. Lombroso believed that criminals had a higher threshold for touch and pain. Using an esthesiometer, and other devices, he claimed to have confirmed this. Esthesiometers are currently part of the neurologist’s armamentarium. In very good cosmetic and mechanical condition. Quoting from Wiki: “An esthesiometer (British spelling aesthesiometer) is Read More...

26 Nov

Early 20th Century brass US Navy Sextant with silvered scale

By Archipel

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Very fine and complete US Navy sextant of black painted brass. Mahogany case with dovetailes, lock and little key, brass carrying handle an so on. The inside has a baize-covered lid and bottom. The case is marked with the number 442. Silvered scale, graduated from -5 to 153 degrees, set in a brass arc. The scale of the sextant is marked with S on the left side and with D 442 on the right side. Serial number of the Read More...

21 Nov

C1900 Princess Bust Developer

By M and R Gordon

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In the days before plastic surgeons were able to perform breast augmentation surgery using implants, women who felt that their natural gifts were inadequate had little in the way of effective options. For those who put their faith in the claims of magazine ads (see our last image, which was taken from a 1902 Sears catalog) and medical instrument catalogs, the Princess Bust Developer was an option. We are offering a good example of this device with the end Read More...

14 Nov

~RARE MORTON TOULMIN ELLIPSOGRAPH~

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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Ellipsograph patented July 6, 1875 in Washington D.C. by Morton Toulmin and made by Watts & Co. Baltimore, MD. on a decorative mahogany plinth to protect the six offset spikes and the pencil stylus. The two primary steel beams are fixed to brass end plates terminating in offset steel spikes to secure the device to paper below and a draftman’s desk. The two fully adjustable and moveable secondary steel beams (trammels) are controlled by a central pivot, hand operated by Read More...

12 Oct

Bailey Visual Perception Test for Children and Illiterates, 1933

By M and R Gordon

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A fine example of the Bailey Visual Perception Test for Children and Illiterates, copyright 1933 by George W. Bailey. Housed in its labeled wooden case: complete with all of the original wooden forms, charts and instructions. The case is 14.75″ x 10.5″ x 2.75″ approx. Read More...

08 Aug

SIXTH-PLATE DAGUERROTYPE OF A DOCTOR

By M and R Gordon

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A cased sixth-plate daguerreotype of an unidentified doctor holding a book that is open to a plate of early surgical instruments. The type of mat used suggests a pre-Civil War date for this image. Tarnish to perimeter ands some light spotting; case hinge has been reinforced. Read More...

27 May

19th century scrimshaw Snuffbox Engraved In A Sperm Whale Tooth

By Galerie Delalande Paris

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Snuffbox scrimshaw engraved in a sperm whale tooth. Pretty polychrome decorations composed of tortoiseshell pellets and leaves, above a frieze. The sperm whale tooth is carved in the spirit of a secouette. Horn hinged opening with “LP” monogram. Dimension: height of 11.5 diagonally. England or USA mid 19th century. Read More...

03 May

Engraved Sperm Whale Tooth Representing The Constellation Vessel Dated 1815

By Galerie Delalande Paris

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Finely engraved biface sperm whale tooth representing on one side an American three-masted ship in a rough sea and on the other side the inscription: “The Constellation 1815”. Dimension: length of 14 cm. USA 1815. Read More...

28 Apr

14 CT Gold C1920 IUD

By M and R Gordon

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The London Science Museum has a similar device on their site, which they date c1920, but theirs is gold-plated brass not solid 14ct gold. Gold was less problematic because it is inert. They describe it as\” \”A type of early intrauterine device (IUD) also known as a cervicouterine device or pessary. Curved disk with long coil stem attached to plate of disk. Coil opens into a wishbone shape with two arms. Arms are held together during insertion ( https://digital.sciencehistory.org/works/jq085k79n) Read More...

09 Apr

The Analemmatic Sundial Source Book

By Ganymede Antiques

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Compiled and Edited Fredrick W Sawyer III, No. 64 of a limited edition of 140pub. North American Sundial Society 2004, contents 57 articles including 28 historic treatises (including facsimile reprints) and contemporary papers.Please see the other books I have listed on Fleaglass. I have recently retired and am selling most of my scientific and medical instrument reference library, including many works now difficult to obtain. Read More...