North America Archives - Page 6 of 17

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Cased Bausch & Lomb Microscope. This item is fixed and so does not tilt. It has a serial number plaque with serial number of 28918. No accessories other than what is mounted on the microscope, The eyepiece is labeled with the Bausch & Lomb marking, along with the markings of “1/2 Inch Tube Length 160.0 MM.” Research of Bausch & Lomb catalog places this microscope at C. 1898. Coarse focusing is very smooth and double-sided mirrors are in great Read More...

30 Nov

Cased Antique Bausch & Lomb Microscope

By Orlando Microscopes

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Cased Bausch & Lomb Microscope. Microscope and case are serial numbered “17475”. Research in a B&L catalog places the date of manufacturer at 1895. Only accessories in case are two empty brass objective cases marked “Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. 1/6” and “Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. 2/3”. Both of those objectives (also marked) are mounted on the scope. The case and microscope are in very good condition. The base of the microscope is signed: “Bausch & Lomb Optical Read More...

03 Nov

Gardiner’s C1900 Hard-Rubber Ring Pessary for Prolapsed Uterus

By M and R Gordon

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A good example of Gardiner’s hard-rubber pessary employed in the treatment of a prolapsed uterus. It 3/3/4 inches high and the diameter of the interior of the ring is 13/8 inches. A small portion of the exterior of the ring is slightly abraded–see second image. Read More...

30 Oct

Early 20th-Century Quack Nose Shaper

By M and R Gordon

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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 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

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...