UK and Ireland Archives - Page 58 of 95

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For sale, a Regency period cased telescope on stand by Joseph Smith of Royal Exchange, London. This fine example consists of a three draw achromatic telescope with a 1.5” objective lens and original dust cap, a mahogany barrel and dust slide to the eyetube. The telescope measures, 77cms extended and 25cms closed and is engraved for the maker, J Smith, Royal Exchange, London to the first draw. The accompanying tripod is cleverly designed in three parts in order to maximise its Read More...

05 Dec

Victorian Ebonised Aneroid Wall Barometer by Dollond of London

By Jason Clarke Antiques

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For sale a superb Victorian aneroid wall barometer with ebonised wooden case by Dollond of London. Comprised of a six-inch silvered dial with a semi circular engraved scale to the upper half which measures 28 to 31 inches of barometric pressure to the outer edge and with detailed weather indications around the underside. The lower half is adorned with a semi-circular thermometer and engraved Fahrenheit scale which encircles the makers engraving to the famous scientific instrument making firm, Dollond London. The Read More...

05 Dec

SOLD – Fine pillar frame surveying sextant with platinum scale and stand.

By Scientific Inspirations

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SOLD – An excellent double frame pillar sextant, signed on the arc, ‘Troughton & Simms, London. Platina’, and engraved to the arm (just below the vernier scale), ‘1871’ along with a broad ministry arrow. The sextant has two inverted telescopes with filters. All coloured filters and mirrors are damage free though there is deterioration to the horizon mirror. The scale reads from -5 to 160. The instrument comes with a Troughton & Simms cast stand dated 1872 with counter balance weight. Contained Read More...

30 Nov

19 TH Century Massey’s Anchor ship Log N 1

By Antiques Le Saint Georges

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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...

30 Nov

Hard contact lenses c1940

By Van Leest Antiques

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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...

28 Nov

An early 19th century single draw telescope.

By Scientific Inspirations

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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...

28 Nov

A good 3 draw telescope, double signed.

By Scientific Inspirations

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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...