UK and Ireland Archives - Page 83 of 94

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EXQUISITE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MONOCULAR, English, c. third quarter 18th century, signed “Dollond, London.” Opening from 2-3/4″ to 3-3/4″ (7 to 9.5 cm) by single drawtube, the monocular is constructed of beautifully contrasting dark stained mount, green rayskin, silver bands, wood interior, and red leather stamped in silver with the most delicate, flowing flowering vines. It is a Galilean optical design, giving upright images, the 1-5/8″ diameter singlet objective having large light gathering power. Condition is excellent. It is a Read More...

04 Jun

FINE EARLY REFLECTING TELESCOPE

By TESSERACT

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DIMINUTIVE EARLY CASE-MOUNTED GREGORIAN TELESCOPE, probably English, c. second quarter 18th century. The 8-5/8″ x 3-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ (22 x 9 x 7 cm) mahogany or rosewood case has oak bottom and beveled slide-off lid, plus inset brass mounting plate and beautiful brass escutcheon. The brass telescope assembly mounts to the lid, by tapered steel screw and turned brass pillar to altazimuth mount. The main tube is 7-1/4″ long and 1-5/8″ in diameter, fitted with spring-loaded speculum metal primary Read More...

01 Jun

HANDSOME ENGLISH MONOCULAR BY AN UNCOMMON MAKER

By TESSERACT

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HANDSOME ENGLISH MONOCULAR BY AN UNCOMMON MAKER, third quarter 18th century, signed (stamped) on the drawtube “S. Iohnson, London.” Measuring only 2-3/8″ (6 cm) long closed, this little telescope is constructed in a wonderful combination of materials typical of 18th century fashion, with wood main tube bound in red-stained ray skin, card drawtube bound in green-stained vellum with stamped decoration, dark-stained mounts, and internal diaphragm of wood. Condition is very fine, noting some (rather attractive) wear to the stain Read More...

27 May

MINIATURE GREGORIAN TELESCOPE

By TESSERACT

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MINIATURE GREGORIAN TELESCOPE, English, c. third quarter 18th century. Measuring 7-1/4“ (18 cm) overall, complete with turned brass end cap, the instrument has bright speculum metal mirrors, two-element erecting eyepiece system, and external screw focussing to the secondary mirror. Craftsmanship is excellent, and it gives superb images even in daytime. The telescope is contained in its wonderful original shaped case of wood lined with green velvet and covered in black fishskin. Condition is very fine throughout, noting a bit of Read More...

24 May

FASCINATING EARLY QUADRANT

By TESSERACT

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FASCINATING EARLY QUADRANT, English, mid-17th century. This very thin brass quadrant is 3-3/4″ (9.5 cm) in radius, hand engraved on one side, with practice engraving of several numerals and letters on the reverse. There is a circumferential quadrant scale divided every degree, for use in measuring the angular altitude of sun, moon, stars, mountains, buildings, etc., by sighting along the edge and reading against a little plumb line which would be suspended from the apex. Next is a calendrical Read More...

23 May

BRASS PERPETUAL CALENDAR / LUNAR CALENDAR

By TESSERACT

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PERPETUAL CALENDAR / LUNAR CALENDAR, English, 19th century, made of brass 1-1/2″ (3.7 cm) in diameter. One side has a rotating disk marked “Day of the Month For Ever,” with a smiling sunface and a ring of month dates. This reads against a fixed ring of weekdays. The other side has a volvelle marked “Moon’s Age, Phases, and Southings,” with circular scales of twice-12 hours, date of the lunar month, and weekdays. An eccentric circle indicates fullness of the Read More...

23 May

LOVELY SHEFFIELD PLATE MINIATURE TELESCOPE

By TESSERACT

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SPLENDID MINIATURE TELESCOPE WITH COMBINABLE EYE LENSES AND SOLAR CAP, English, c. last quarter 18th century, signed “J. Bleuler, London.” Constructed with tubes and fittings of Sheffield silver plated copper and brass, this little telescope opens from 2-3/4″ to 6″ (7 – 15 cm) with three drawtubes. The main tube is finished with black enamel over copper. Giving erect images, the optics are a greenish triplet achromatic objective, two swiveling eyelenses useable singly or in combination, and a slip-on Read More...

14 May

Large C19 telescope by Frith, London: a classic naval 3-draw design

By Telescope Collector

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For sale is a naval style telescope with three draws, sunshade and bell-shaped eyepiece. Made and engraved by “Frith, London” it measures 90 cms when extended and is 2.5 inches (6cms) in diameter at the objective. The brass draws are in excellent condition, and both lenses have sliding gate type covers, with the objective cover being detachable. The main barrel has a wooden section, measuring just over 4 inches in length. The wood appears to be oak, with a Read More...

11 May

Title SPECTACLES. LORGNETTES AND MONOCLES

By Victor Burness

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Well illustrated, handy guide to dating Spectacles. UK Postage £1.00 40 pages Read More...

09 May

Surgical set by Young – Edinburgh, C 1880

By Van Leest Antiques

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A small surgical set by Young – Edinburgh, C 1880. The set consists of 9 scalpels with ebony handles and each scalpel has the company name on it. On the bottom, the name of the company is printed: Arch Young – 61 Forestroad & 58 North bridge – Edinburgh. The set belongs to Dr. Ralph Stochman. This set is in good condition and measurement case 19,5 x 5,5 x 3,5 cm. Look for shop information on www.vanleestantiques.com Read More...

08 May

Whalebone Carved Skeletons. Possibly considered Erotic.

By Scientific Inspirations

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Carved Whale Bone in the form of three skeletons, possibly considered erotic, measuring 14cm high and fixed to a square based plinth. Excellent quality and free of damage. Difficult to date but this item was part of an estate that contained fine Victorian scrimshaw. I do not always receive enquiries due to difficulties with my server so please feel free to contact me directly: [email protected] Read More...

07 May

Troughton telescope: 3 draw, brass and mahogany

By Telescope Collector

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This telescope is labelled with an engraving “Troughton, London” on the first of the three brass draws. These are all contained within the mahogany barrel, which has brass fittings at either end, retained by very small screws, the original screws. It has a flat eyepiece with a winking cover, and a detachable objective cap. Overall length is 29” extended, and 9.5” closed: the diameter is 1.875”. Edward Troughton worked at “The Orrery”, 136 Fleet Street, from 1804-26: the design Read More...