UK and Ireland Archives - Page 56 of 93

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With mahogany barrel and signed on the first draw, ‘T. Taylor, Castle St, Leicester Fields, London’. Thomas Taylor worked from this address from 1782-1788. It is also signed on the second draw, ‘T.H. Smallwood, No5, Little Madox Street, Bond St’ (probably the owner or retailer). Fully extended it measures 28″ (71 cms) and when closed, 9.5″ (24 cms). The main lens has a diameter of 42mm and has a triplet element. It gives a magnification of 20x with a fine, Read More...

17 Nov

C1940 Haptic Hard Contact Lenses

By M and R Gordon

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These C1940, large-hard contact lenses were called haptic or scleral lenses because they rested only on the sclera or white outer portion of the eye.The un-sterile case is fitted with dark-red velvet and contains the original rubber suction holder. Length of case: 6cm. Compared to smaller and softer modern contacts, these haptic lenses were, by all reports, not terribly comfortable to wear. Thanks to Laurie Slater for the bulk of the description. Read More...

14 Nov

19th Century Harpoon towing log A2 – T.Walker, London, Birmingham

By Archipel

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From the 17th century onward people had made many attempts to devise a mechanical log which would automatically record the ships distance done. Edward Massey invented a mechanical log in 1802 with four blades which was used by the Admiralty from 1807-1815. When dragged behind the ship the log vins rotates and the revolutions were transformed in miles on the dials, to be read after the log was brought in. The design of Massey was further refined by Thomas Read More...

14 Nov

Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer Hughes, London – England ca. 1920

By Archipel

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Early 20th century barocyclonometer or typhoon barometer. On board it is used as a means to determine the the position of the center of a cyclone at a distance of several hundred miles and permits the calculation of the direction in which the riot of wind is moving. As such it’s is an aid to avoid typhoons. The instrument is described in popular Mechanics of 1913. The instrument is comprised of a robust barometer in a case with silvered dual Read More...

14 Nov

Artificial black glass horizon – circa 1800

By Archipel

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The artificial horizon was designed for use when the natural horizon is not visible due to weather conditions or darkness. It is used in conjunction with a sextant. The angle of reflection of a celestial body on the mirror is equal to the angle of incidence. The history of the artificial horizon dates back to the sixteenth century, but development really got underway in the eighteenth century. George Adams designed the mercury trough in 1738 to prevent the swinging of Read More...

14 Nov

Davis Quadrant or Backstaff with vanes – H. Gregory, London, ca. 1780

By Archipel

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After the astrolabe and the Jacob’s staff, in 1595 John Davis invented the back staff to determine the altitude of the sun at sea. His improved design became known as the Davis Quadrant. The observer stood with his back to the sun and didn’t have to look at the bright sunlight. The instruments has two concentric graduated arcs centered on the far end. The larger scale runs from 0 to 25 degrees, the other one from 0 to 65. Read More...

14 Nov

Large Brass Watkins Clinometer – Watts & Son, London, 1941

By Archipel

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A very fine brass clinometer in original mahogany case. Clinometers have a variety of uses. With this type of clinometer the angle of inclination of a ship can be measured very accurately. For this purpose in still water, along the quay, a heavy weight is moved abeam with the loading equipment. The values found are used in stability calculations. The instrument consists of a brass frame containing a highly sensitive cylindrical screw, graduated to minutes of a degree. The cylindrical Read More...

14 Nov

~A GOOD ENGLISH CUPPING/BLEEDING SET~

By ScientificaOpticae

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A good unsigned, wet/fire, cupping/bleeding set c.1820 in pleasing mahogany case with twin C-hooks and brass handle (8 1/2 x 7 x 4 inches deep). Two fire cups of varying diameter, a set of three wet cups with thread tops to fit the fully functional syringe, a sixteen blade, cubic scarificator with strong spring and all blades intact, an alcohol/paraffin burner and an additional wick for warming the fire cups. Could have had an extension tube with brass valve Read More...

10 Nov

~GOOD ALL BRASS POCKET COMPASS-J. CASARTELLI~

By ScientificaOpticae

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A good, all brass pocket compass by Joseph Casartelli of Manchester c.1860. Made prior to incorporation with his son, this compass boasts perfect glass, a paper card divided into 36 nautical cardinal points and 4 x 90 degree quadrants. Fine blued steel needle with brass pivot point (still points North), roping (knurling) of the brasswork on the edge of the cap. Not the best of castings and well used but there is original lacquer on the inside of the Read More...

10 Nov

Victorian Faradays Egg Experiment by William Ladd, London

By Jason Clarke Antiques

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For sale, a large-scale Victorian Faraday’s electric egg experiment by William Ladd of London. Comprised of a turned mahogany base with brass cup fitting and release valve engraved to W Ladd, London. The cup provides the seat into which the ovoid formed glass flask is positioned and also holds the lower electrode in place within the flask. A similar inverted brass cup is attached to the peak of the flask and through which a second, longer electrode is introduced at the Read More...

08 Nov

A Dancer field naturalists binocular microscope

By Hansord Antiques

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A very clean and complete Dancer field microscope designed to fit into a small case for use in the field. This example is numbered 38 and has a Wenham prism that neatly slides into place. Good lacquer throughout and accessories complete including the bulls eye condenser Read More...

06 Nov

Lignum Vitae Optical Compendium of Three Microscopes, ca. 1720-1730

By Gilgamesh

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The dome lid at the top of the compendium hides underneath a flea glass of the type seen in the other examples shown here. Its removal reveals a magnifier that allows the inspection of objects under low magnification. Inside the magnifier’s housing is a screw-barrel microscope of a particular type that includes a live box for light-permeable items. At the bottom of the compendium are two more lenses for this microscope, allowing a choice of three different magnifications. Similar Read More...