UK and Ireland Archives - Page 29 of 94

16 Jun

Sotheby’s Auction, 20 March 2003, The James Watt Sale, Art and Science (All Sales go to Medecins sans Frontiere Charity)

By Fletcher

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295 pages, 562 lots, fully illustrated Read More...

15 Jun

Rare 3,5 Inches Newton Pocket Globe Dated January 1817 in his fish-skin Case

By Antiques Le Saint Georges

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Rare 3,5 Inches Newton Pocket Globe in its original fish-skin case. Dated January 1817 Newton uses the method to show a view of the planetary system as it was know in the January 1817. Circle meridien in brass with degrees. Same model in Science Museum London Museum Greenwich, and some other international Museum A pocket globe is a small, portable globe that can fit in a pocket or purse. It typically measures between 1 and 5 inches in diameter and is designed to be Read More...

15 Jun

Fine W & S Jones miniature surveying compass, c.1815, offered with the Jones catalogue

By Fleaglass-Commission-Sale

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A fine miniature surveying compass by W & S Jones of London, c.1815 Offered with: A Catalogue of Optical, Mathematical, and Philosophical Instruments, dated August 1827 This beautiful instrument is very similar to the example illustrated in George Adams’ Geometrical and Graphical Essays, first published by Jones in 1797, Plate XV, Fig. 4. However, it differs in two respects from the illustration: the present compass is not set on a graduated base and is therefore not a true circumferentor, and the Read More...

15 Jun

~PRE-ACHROMATIC, LARGE COMPOUND/SIMPLE MICROSCOPE by DOLLOND/UNUSUAL~

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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An extremely early, rare and fine pre-achromatic Adams/Jones-type microscope by Dollond with many unusual features c.1760. Firstly, the ocular lens is a singlet, not an achromatic doublet that Dollond fought so hard to patent. Secondly, the brass work of the eyepiece and body tube mimics that of Adams (pleasing tapering shape). Thirdly, the folding feet are trapezoidal, not rectangular as seen on the Jones models c.1800. Signed “Dollond, London” in flowing script, not block style. Lastly, the “in between” substage condensing lens of Read More...

14 Jun

~ROTATING STAGE WHEEL OF SPECIMENS- LOFT~

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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Often missing rotating stage specimen holders for Loft and Scalett-Culpeper (SOLD) microscopes- 18th century. Specifications at the top of the photo. Loft has ALL but one cell, Priced individually. Rare accessories. Verdegris to back side of Loft and it is numbered 1-10. Wheel of specimens. Fit in key way stage slot. LOFT still available. Specifications in first photo. Read More...

13 Jun

Four Good Quality Rolling Rules

By Fletcher

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Ebony and brass rolling rule W. E. Archbutt 11 Bridge Street Westminster £100 Mahogany, Ebony and brass rolling rule by W. H Harling, 47 Finsbury Pavement, London £100 Joseph and Edmund Ratcliff’s Improved German Ruler £120 Mallett’s Patent boxwood and brass rolling rule £100 All in good working order Read More...

12 Jun

The Natural History and Diseases of the Human Teeth in Two Parts with twenty three Copper Plates

By Fletcher

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A very distressed copy of this uncommon book-however the plates are complete-Author Joseph Fox, 1813. The condition of the plates is fair but some foxing at the edges and some water damage as shown. Read More...

06 Jun

Denis Henrion, the first French work on the proportional compass, 1618

By Landmarks of Science

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HENRION, Denis (or Didier). Usage du compas du proportion. Paris: Michel Daniel, 1618. First edition, extremely rare, of Henrion’s treatise on the proportional compass, the work that introduced the instrument to France. The proportional compass, also known as the sector, geometric compass, or military compass, was an analogue calculating instrument used widely from the late 16th century until modern times. Its origins are uncertain, but it was first described in print by Thomas Hood in 1598, and developed at about Read More...

06 Jun

The war between Charles Babbage and Richard Sheepshanks

By Landmarks of Science

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A probably unique collection of pamphlets, all first editions, documenting the decades-long dispute between Babbage (1791-1871) and his archenemy Sheepshanks (1794-1855), but also involving Sir James South (1785-1867) and Sir George Biddell Airy (1801-1892). “In a section [of Exposition of 1851] called ‘Intrigues of Science’ Babbage accused Airy of being part of a vendetta against him and influencing government against his engines through personal allegiance to Babbage’s enemies. The villain of the piece (according to Babbage) is the Reverend Richard Read More...

06 Jun

Report on Georg Scheutz’s difference engine, 1855

By Landmarks of Science

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SCHEUTZ, Georg. Report of a Committee appointed by the Council to examine the Calculating Machine of M. Scheutz, pp. 499-509 in Proceedings of the Royal Society, vol. 7, no. 15, June 21, 1855. First edition, complete journal issue in original printed wrappers. “Inspired in 1834 by Babbage’s work, Georg Scheutz (1785-1873) a Swedish printer, publisher, journalist, translator and inventor, set about building a difference engine of his own. . . . Georg, and his son Edvard (1822-1881) completed a working prototype Read More...

06 Jun

3 inch refracting telescope in case.

By Scientific Inspirations

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Unsigned, the barrel length is 37.5 inches with a 3″ main lens. Rack and pinion focussing and push / pull draw tube. Lenses are damage free. Small dint on the top (last picture). The brass has been polished at some time. Very good, clear image, approx 35 x. Read More...

01 Jun

~DELIGHTFUL DOMED POCKET COMPASS/SUNDIAL~

By Scientifica Opticae Inc.

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A good Regency period, small vest pocket compass/sundial in brass canister with domed glass/lid (gilded to the lid interior). Measuring 4 cm. in diameter and 2 cm. in thickness, this Regency period instrument has been well used but the brasswork and glass are near perfect (loss of lacquer but gilding to the exterior). May have had a stop at one time but the floating card, having compass points and hour ring, still points North within a few seconds with a Read More...