North America Archives - Page 7 of 17

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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...

09 Jul

Tri-Valve Vaginal/Rectal Mechanical Speculum

By M and R Gordon

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As our images reveal, the 1889 Tiemann Armamentarium lists and illustrates (using the same image) this instrument as a tri-speculum for both rectal and vaginal use. Ditto for the 1879 edition. Our example has a wooden handle and is in very good mechanical and cosmetic condition. Read More...

27 Jun

~ A FINE WILLIS PATENTED PLANIMETER by ROBERTSON, NY~

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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A fine and cased Willis-type planimeter with rotating boxwood scales, blued steel slide for rotor, nickel/chrome arms capable of measuring 45 sq. in. at a time, instructions for use, original inspection tag, dated and serialized. Patent dates on axis/pivot point. Rarely used and in it’s original brown card case measuring 26 x 11 x 4 cm. (~10 x 4 x 2 inches). Sold for $20 then ($750 today). Read More...

26 Jun

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

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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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...

22 Jun

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

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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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...

16 Jun

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

By Fletcher

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

31 May

M37 Torpedo steering gyroscope

By Hatchwell Antiques

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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...

08 May

Late 19th C. Bausch & Lomb Microscope Camera Lucida

By M and R Gordon

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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...

18 Apr

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

By M and R Gordon

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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...

15 Apr

Bartlett’s Binaural Stethoscope

By M and R Gordon

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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...