UK and Ireland Archives - Page 77 of 93

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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...

06 Oct

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...

03 Oct

FOR LOCATING AND MAINTAINING SHIP POSITION, c. 1865

By TESSERACT

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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...

30 Sep

MARINER’S PLAIN QUADRANT

By TESSERACT

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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...

27 Sep

ELEGANT, FOOT-LONG PARALLEL RULE

By TESSERACT

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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...

27 Sep

EARLY ADAMS-TYPE BOX SEXTANT

By TESSERACT

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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...

26 Sep

Declination – inclination or Dip Needle

By Early Science

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The Declination – inclination or Dip Needle is a compass pivoted to move in the plane containing the magnetic field vector of the earth. It will then show the angle which the magnetic field makes with the vertical. Comes from the former possession of a scientific school, total 25 cm high, will be well packaged and shipped by registered mail Read More...

22 Sep

Quekett’s 1848 Recomendation

By TESSERACT

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” 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...

21 Sep

EXCEPTIONAL OVAL MAGNIFIER SET IN SILVER AND MOTHER-OF-PEARL

By TESSERACT

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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...

18 Sep

Small library telescope & stand – Proctor, Beilby & Co.

By Scientific Inspirations

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Signed on the single draw, ‘Proctor, Beilby & Co.’, who worked in both Sheffield and Birmingham between 1809 – 1816. The length of the telescope is 30″ ( 76 cms ) and the height 17″ ( 43 cms ). The main lens is 1.75″ ( 45mm ) diameter and has a triple element lens. The telescopegives a magnification of 30x, with a clear sharp image when viewing. It has mahogany folding legs and is in good condition throughout. Some brass areas have been Read More...

17 Sep

Large telescope & case by Chadburn with Wray lens.

By Scientific Inspirations

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A large library telescope signed on the back collar, ‘Chadburn & Son, Liverpool’. Chadburn worked in Liverpool from 1845 – 1861. It has a 80mm diameter main lens which is signed on the sid eof the cell, ‘Wray, London’. The length extended is 52″ ( 132 cms ) and the height is 20″ ( 50 cms ). The telescope has an end cap, steady bar and taper column with cabriole legs. The magnification is 80 x and there is an additional astronomical Read More...

11 Sep

URANIA’S MIRROR AND BOOK

By TESSERACT

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COMPLETE SET OF “URANIA’S MIRROR” ASTRONOMICAL CARDS AND BOOK, English, 1825, published by Samuel Leigh of 18 Strand, London. This is a complete set of 32 hand-colored cards, each 5-1/2″ x 7-3/4″ (14 x 20 cm), printed with constellation figures, the brighter stars identified and pierced with holes and the cards backed with tissue paper, making visible the star patterns when held to a light. The cards are delicately colored, and contained in the original cardboard box. Some of Read More...