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THE ULTIMATE IN DECORATION ON ALUMINUM — ENGLISH BINOCULARS FOR THE CHINESE MARKET
By TESSERACT
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THE ULTIMATE IN DECORATION ON ALUMINUM — ENGLISH BINOCULARS FOR THE CHINESE MARKET, c. 1870, signed “Callaghan, 23A New Bond St., corner of Conduit St., London; Made for Lapraik, Hongkong.” Measuring 4″ (10 cm) long (closed), the binoculars extend to 5-1/2″ by geared center focus and sliding sunshades. Every square millimeter seems covered with abundant floral and geometric decoration. Condition is very fine and functional, giving excellent images.
The maker was the optician William Callaghan (probably the elder, his son Read More...
THE MESSUM NAUTICAL PROTRACTOR
THE MESSUM NAUTICAL PROTRACTOR, English, c.1910, signed “Cary, London, Regd. No. 475601.” Made of thermoplastic or heavy celluloid, 7″ overall, the protractor is engraved on both sides with numerous scales in black and red. Included are a “Masthead Angle Table” and a “Tide Scale For 6 Hr. Tide.” The inventor was apparently Cmdr. Stuart V.S.C. Messum, author of Hydrographic Surveying in 1910. Messum does discuss various scales and designs of protractors, as well as the practicality of surveying by Read More...
SIGHTING QUADRANT FOR DISTANCE RANGING OF TALL SHIPS, ETC.
SIGHTING QUADRANT, English, c. early 19th century. This all-brass instrument stands 6-1/4″ (16 cm) tall, with cross-hair equipped sighting tube moving in altitude over the 0(1)90 degree quadrant, and swinging freely in azimuth on the short pillar mount. Sighting horizontally the scale reads 0°; vertically, 90°. Thus we have a straightforward astronomical quadrant measuring angular altitudes of celestial bodies as well as topographic features, buildings, etc. But a small scale, with index pointer, on the reverse tells a further Read More...
John J. Griffin & Sons 1873 Scientific Demonstration Apparatus Catalog
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While printed copies of digitized scans of this catalog are available, the original is a very scarce item. Neither Abe nor AddALL shows a copy. This 186 page catalog is in very good condition, noting wear to the top and bottom of spine. 18.5 x 13.5 cm.
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Set of Governmental Standard Link Floor Plaques by De Grave & Co 1914
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For sale, a very rare set of imperial measurement plaques depicting 0 to 100 links by De Grave & Co Limited 1914.
Solid brass plaques such as these were originally produced in 1876 by The Board of Trade under Sir George Airy to provide public access to British imperial standards and are reputed to have been a means to protecting the standards after the originals were destroyed in the Palace of Westminster in the 1830’s. On that basis, The Board Read More...
JENKIN’S “PATENT MAGNETIC COMPASS BEARING PROTRACTOR AND COMPASS COURSE FINDER
By TESSERACT
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JENKIN’S “PATENT MAGNETIC COMPASS BEARING PROTRACTOR AND COMPASS COURSE FINDER,” English, late 19th century, unsigned. Made of plated brass with an 11-1/2″ (29 cm) long clampable brass index arm, this multipurpose navigational charting instrument has a divided square and calibrated clampable circle with compass headings and degree scale. We have seen an original instructional sheet and testimonials, indicating that the principal advantage of this instrument to the navigator is the ability to apply the compass error (variation and deviation Read More...
FOR LOCATING AND MAINTAINING SHIP POSITION, c. 1865
THE HAY / STEBBING DIRECT SIGHTING STATION POINTER OUTFIT, English, c.1865, signed “Invented by Com’r. Hay R.N. & J.R. Stebbing F.R.A.S. Southampton, No. 514″ and with an 1862 registration mark. This multipurpose instrument is constructed of brass and boxwood, 12-1/2″ (32 cm) overall. An adjustable sight vane is mounted above three pointer arms, on a semicircular protractor and 12” rule. Accessories include a centerpoint / plumb support interchangeable with the sight vane, a hold-down screw, and a curious brass Read More...
MARINER’S PLAIN QUADRANT
THE PLAIN QUADRANT, English, mid-18th century, made of finely-grained boxwood in the form of a quarter circle, 6″ (15 cm) in radius and 9/32″ (7mm) thick. The borders are ruled, and the arc is divided every degree from 0 to 90, with calibrations every 10° and intermediate 5° positions marked with triple-dot patterns. The quarter circle’s center is pierced with a hole for supporting a string and plumb bob (not present). Condition is very fine throughout. Sometimes referred to Read More...
ELEGANT, FOOT-LONG PARALLEL RULE
LARGE ELEGANT PARALLEL RULE, English, c. 1800, hand-engraved on the reverse “J. Watkins, Charing Crofs, London.” This all brass rule is 12″ (30 cm) wide, constructed with a massive scissor hinge elegantly shaped and pierced, designed with opposing slots which provide an offsetting parallel motion as the rule is opened. There are two small knobs for grasping, and both outer edges are beveled for precision in course marking and chart reading. Condition is good noting some stains and darkening, Read More...
EARLY ADAMS-TYPE BOX SEXTANT
FLAT DRUM SEXTANT, English, c. first half 19th century, constructed of brass, 4-1/4″ (11 cm) in diameter and 1-5/8″ (3.6 cm) thick, the interior with “wriggle-work” designs and fine clear lacquer finish, the exterior of chemically darkened brass. A geared index arm carries an internal mirror, and is set with a silver vernier divided to one arc-minute. This reads against the 0° – 122° inset silver scale. There is a scale magnifier on long arm, and separately insertable dark Read More...
Quekett’s 1848 Recomendation
” a firm table is required for placing the microscope on, and in order that the latter may be at all times ready for use, it should be covered over either with a glass or other shade when not employed; many valuable observations will be lost if the labour of packing and unpacking of the instrument and apparatus have to be frequently repeated. A glass shade, especially a stout one of the old make, with a knob at the Read More...
EXCEPTIONAL OVAL MAGNIFIER SET IN SILVER AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL
EXCEPTIONAL OVAL MAGNIFIER SET IN SILVER AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL, probably English, 18th century, measuring 3″ x 2″ x 1/2″ (7.6 x 5 x 1.3 cm) overall (closed). The fine oval magnifying lens is made of grayish glass, mounted in a ringed silver band which swivels out from the exquisite case of nacre (the beautiful iridescent inner lining of some mollusc shells — and the outer coating of pearls!) framed in lovely chased silver mounts. Condition is fine; this is not Read More...