Archives
19 TH Century Massey’s Anchor ship Log N 1
Interesting Massey’s Anchor ship Log N1 C.1860
Complete first model of Harpoon Log.
Three register on porcelain face indicator in very good original condition.
The Four rotor blade are in good condition.
Read More...
Hard contact lenses c1940
These hard contact lenses (c 1940) were called scleral lenses because rested only on the sclera or white outer portion of the eye. The case is fitted with original velvet and contains the original rubber suction holder. It is signed by Curry & Paxton Ltd. Measurement 8 x 4 x 2 cm.
Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com
Read More...
An early 19th century single draw telescope.
A single draw, leather covered wooden barrelled telescope signed, ‘H. Hyams, 22 Cornhill’.
Hyam Hyams worked from this address in London from 1821-1851.
The telescope measures 34″ extended and 27″ when closed. The main lens is 1.5″ diameter giving a magnification of 18x and gived a fine, shatp image. It has an end cap and eye slider and is in good condition throughout.
It comes with a later wooden display stand.
Read More...
A good 3 draw telescope, double signed.
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...
C1940 Haptic Hard Contact Lenses
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...
19th Century Harpoon towing log A2 – T.Walker, London, Birmingham
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...
Barocyclonometer or Typhoon Barometer Hughes, London – England ca. 1920
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...
Artificial black glass horizon – circa 1800
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...
Davis Quadrant or Backstaff with vanes – H. Gregory, London, ca. 1780
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...
Large Brass Watkins Clinometer – Watts & Son, London, 1941
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...
~A GOOD ENGLISH CUPPING/BLEEDING SET~
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...
~GOOD ALL BRASS POCKET COMPASS-J. CASARTELLI~
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...