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George Sterrop Cuff type microscope in original mahogany case

A fine 18th century Cuff type microscope by Sterrop, London the microscope stand on a mahogany base with drawer fitted with a near complete set of accesories  A very similar microscope is in the Golub collection  Read More...

Important historical 5″ gregorian telescope belonging to Hon. Constantine Phipps

This fine example of a 5” reflecting telescope on tripod stand and housed in the original oak carrying case belonged to the very interesting navel officer Phipps. In 1773 he set off towards the North Pole with two ships, the Racehorse and the Carcuss. Phipps had with him Israel Lyons as the astronomer and one of the midshipmen on the trip was a young Horatio Nelson, there is a famous painting of Nelson and the polar bear in the maritime Read More...

UNUSUAL HELICAL FOCUSSING MICROSCOPE BY DRING AND FAGE

UNUSUAL HELICAL FOCUSSING MICROSCOPE BY DRING AND FAGE, English, second half 19th century, signed on the base “Dring & Fage, 145 Strand, London.”  Made of contrasting chemically darkened and bright lacquered brass, the microscope extends from 13” to 18-1/2” (33 – 47 cm) tall by drawtube and by main tube helical external screw focussing.  It has a sturdy brass horseshoe base and inclining limb, and is equipped with rear pillar vertical fine focus motion, one ocular, one objective (Swift Read More...

FINE RADIAL LIMB MICROSCOPE OUTFIT — THE “PARAGON” BY SWIFT

FINE RADIAL LIMB MICROSCOPE OUTFIT — THE “PARAGON” BY SWIFT, English, c. 1890, signed “J. Swift & Son, 81 Tottenham Court Rd., London.”  This most handsome sturdy research stand is made of brass in contrasting chemically darkened grey and clear lacquered finishes.  It measures 13-1/2” (34 cm) tall, extending to 20-1/2” (52 cm) by racked coarse focus and racked extension tube.  The “radial” limb has a semicircular groove giving smooth clampable motion from vertical to horizontal viewing.  The microscope Read More...

ANTIQUE MINIATURE FOUR-VANE SURVEYING COMPASS

MINIATURE FOUR-VANE SURVEYING COMPASS, English, c. 1800.  With main plate just 3” (7.6 cm) in outside diameter, this exquisite little brass instrument has the features of a large four-vane circumferentor.  Two matched string-and-slit sight vanes mount to the main plate, which is divided every degree full circle.  A similar set of vanes mounts to the manually rotatable glazed compass, itself with internal silvered circular scale (divided every two degrees) and exceptionally fine compass needle, and early glass.  Condition is Read More...

TRANSITIONAL MAGNETISM — AN EXCEPTIONAL SILVER-MOUNTED LODESTONE-LIKE ARTIFICIAL MAGNET

TRANSITIONAL MAGNETISM — AN EXCEPTIONAL SILVER-MOUNTED LODESTONE-LIKE ARTIFICIAL MAGNET, probably English but with Dutch provenance, mid-18th century.  This elegant little device is 2-1/2” (6 cm) wide, constructed with a sandwich of three magnetized flat steel plates, terminal iron armatures concentrating the force at the pole pieces, upper and lower silver mounting plates with scalloped borders (one engraved “N” and “S”), and rotating suspension  mount and twin pendant rings all of silver.  There is a poinçon hallmark in the shape Read More...

A STAFFORDSHIRE PLAQUE OF JULIUS CAESAR AND HIS COMET

CAESAR AND HIS COMET, ON A STAFFORDSHIRE PLAQUE, English, c. 1800.  This fine cream colored oval plaque is 5-3/8” (14 cm) wide and 6” (15 cm) tall, and bears the raised profile bust of, apparently, Julius Caesar, with a comet and eight stars blazing in the sky, the whole surrounded by a band of leaves (oak leaves, perhaps, and thus the “corona civica” which was awarded to Caesar). An extremely bright daytime comet, perhaps the brightest in recorded history, appeared Read More...

G. Adams reflecting telescope, C 1785

A lacquered brass Gregorian reflecting telescope by G. Adams, London and dates from the last quarter of the 18th century. It has a metal primary mirror 2⅜ inches (6,8 cm) diameter, and a smaller secondary that is adjusted by the rod that runs along the tube. Focusing to the secondary mirror will be by long shank and screw, two-lens eyepiece of the Huygens type, the tube mounted by bracket and two butterfly wing nuts above joint with altitude and Read More...

Atmospheric Sea-sounding Instrument – Wigzell, London

A remarkable sea-sounding instrument based on atmospheric pressure. Invented by Wigzell, London. The instrument is put away in a pine box with a fathom scale. On the lid an instruction sheet pasted to the inside.The instrument exists of a clear tube mounted inside a brass housing. The housing is fixed on a lanyard. The top end of the lanyard will be fixed to a sling and with the lead on the other side it will be dropped into the Read More...

Bullock & Reynolds Eclectic Inhaler, C 1880

A very rare Bullock &Reynolds pottery inhaler known as “The Eclectic” manufactured by S. Maw Son & Thompson with associated night light base. The flexible tube (restored) and mouthpiece are still there.  Couple of tiny chips on the inner part of the inhaler and mouthpiece otherwise in good condition. C1880 The inscription gives: BULLOCK AND REYNOLDS’  3 hanover St. Hanover Square London THE ECLECTIC INHALER    Manufactured by S. MAW, SON & THOMPSON    10,11 & 12, Aldersgate St., London   Physician for the hospital for Disease of the Throat; Read More...

Antique Achromatic Microscope Condenser by Powell & Lealand

The condenser is mechanically and optically in excellent condition.  To fit the standard 36mm diameter Powell and Lealand substage. Read More...

6 draw baleen covered telescope – Robinson Brothers. London & Shrewsbury.

Signed on the first draw as per title; the telescope holds a 1.25″ objective lens and measures 5″ closed and 23.5″ fully open. Brass construction with baleen covered barrel. It has a lens cap and dust slider to the eye-piece and gives excellent views. All damage free.   I do not always receive enquiries due to difficulties with  my server so please feel free to contact me directly: [email protected]     Read More...