Prestige Items

Otis King Calculator [Spiral Slide Rule] Mid 20thC

A very nice working example of the Otis King Calculator or spiral slide. Comes in its original box with retailer A Johnson, Tottenham Court Road, London.

Otis Crater Formy King [1876-1944] patented this spiral slide rule in the early 1900’s. In 1922 Carbic Ltd of London began to manufacture the instrument and continued to do so until 1970 when it became overtaken by modern day digital calculators.

The patent is really in our view stolen from the larger spiral slide rule invented by Fuller. Nevertheless, the handy nature of the Otis design made the instrument fairly popular.

This is a very good example of model K [there was a model L and that’s all] with two scales 414 at the bottom and 423 at the top. The original instructions are present although it doesn’t take Einstein to work out how to use it – part of the appeal.

There is a raft of information online including average youtube videos on how to use it … get the right one before you are put off. The guy who invented the computer mouse started a fanatics website which is fantastic and is building a database of information regarding existing instruments … even down to whether the instructions are stappled!

The retailer was founded by William Johnson [1837-1900] an optical and scientific instrument maker always at Tottenham Court Road – he had passed away before King got going with his calculator – the sons of Johnson continued in their fathers footsteps.

Collectable mathematical calculator by Otis King

$190.00

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Sikes’ Hydrometer Made by James J. Hicks, London for Mauri Bros and Thomson, Sydney

A lovely classic Sikes’ Hydrometer in a very good case with original bone plate engraved “Sikes’ Hydrometer made by J. Hicks, London for Mauri Bros & Thomson Ltd, Sydney”.

The hydrometer float and all the weights carrying the same identification number – the float is engraved Sikes. Note all the weights are there including the elusive “top weight”.

The thermometer is intact, working and in good condition. It is engraved the same as the case plate [but with the extra “J”].

The plush lined box is as original no damage. Everything is in super condition.

There are similar examples in the Powerhouse Museum.

James Joseph Hicks (1837-1916) first traded at 8 Hatton Gardens in the 1870’s. He expanded into adjoining premises in the 1890’s. Hicks had been apprenticed to L.P. Casella, fine instrument makers, [See our delightful Louis Casella boxed Compass] also in the Hatton Garden district, in 1852.

By 1860, Hicks had risen to foreman and from that date several patents are registered in his name. Once in business under his own name, he developed and manufactured numerous instrument types particularly in meteorology and industrial control instruments, such as the Sikes instrument.

Hicks died in 1911 and the business was taken over by Stanley who continued to use Hicks’ name until 1916. So, we can predate the manufacture of this item to before that year.

Joaquim and Jose Mauri started their business in Sydney in 1872. By the 1995 they had expanded considerably and they merged with Thomson to form Mauri Brothers & Thomson, late incorporated in 1905. The company continued to be involved in mergers, takeovers and takeouts over the rest of the 20thC and is now operating as Mauri and very good at what they do.

Fine and complete Sikes’ Hydrometer

Quality maker and special Sydney Customer – super and complete example.

$320.00

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Travel and Sport in Turkestan [Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and a few more Stans] – Captain J.N. Price Wood – First edition 1910

First US edition published by Appleton, New York in 1910.

An adventure indeed in 1907 through Turkestan to the Thian [Tien] Shan Mountains on the borders of Mongolia taking in modern day Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and, as we say, a few more Stans.

Royal octavo, original gilt decorated red cloth covered boards, top edge gilt. 202 pages after xx preliminaries,100 illustrations from original photographs, two to a full-page plate. Folding map of the region. Previous owners name to front end paper, a little toned at the end papers, otherwise a very good copy.

Wood was stationed at Ambala in the Punjab from 1902 after the 12^th Lancers were posted there following the Boer War. He had plan to explore and hunt in Central Asia. However, a pass was required to use the Gilgit Road – any other route making the planned journey far too long. It already was 2,500 miles. Eventually his pass came through and he set off in 1907 – departure still had to be tuned as he had to make the Burzil Pass at 13,500 feet which could only be done between May and October.

Whilst there are guns going off at game [not really our cup of tea] the travel elements of this book make it more than worthy. Great insight into the regions at that time – Huza, Mintaka, Shikari, Hadji Tombs, Kok Su, Tekkes Valley, Kulja, Gorge of the Arpalik, Aksu River etc etc.

The quality coloured map and the photographs help you along the way very nicely.

By pony, camel and yak 2,500 miles to the Thian Shan

$390.00

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Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

A superb quality late Victorian brass Direct Vision Spectroscope, of the “Rainband” variety.

The device includes a “train” of five alternating crown and flint glass prisms.

Made by Adam Hilger and his brother Otto who operated from Tottenham Court Road London from 1875 until 1916 when the business was taken over with the backing of Vickers.

Nicely engraved A Hilger London and in near fine condition protected in its original custom made brass canister.

Interestingly, Adam Hilger supplied one of the most advanced spectroscopes of the day to the Sydney Astronomical Observatory in 1878 to be used in conjunction with their Merz 7 ¼ inch refractor.

Neat Victorian Spectroscope top maker clear and true spectrum

$240.00

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Kim Philby and other Russian Spy Celebrities – Russian Stamp Set 1990

A complete set of five mint stamps issued in Russia in 1990.

Each with a portrait of a member of the espionage elite. Rodolf Abel (1903-1971); Konon Molody (1922-1970); Vaupshascov (1899-1976); Kudrya (1912-1942) and …

“was he, or wasn’t he?” Harold “Kim” Philby.

Nicknamed “Kim” after the Rudyard Kipling boy hero spy – should have been a clue!

If you don’t know who Kim Philby is we are guessing you won’t want to buy this set …

Postage likely to be reduced on final billing.

Unusual item for those undercover agents out there …

$25.00

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Journal of Landsborough’s Expedition – From Carpentaria – in search of Burke and Wills – with a map showing his route – Rare First Edition 1862

First edition published in Melbourne in 1862.

Original papered boards, octavo, 128 pages, frontispiece, still with tissue protection, and the large (58 cm x 78 cm) folding map of Australia “Shewing the Routes of Explorers”. Spine re-enforced professionally with new ends, some age as usual, still a good to better copy.

The frontispiece is an engraving of the explorers and their trackers.

Landsborough oversaw the fourth expedition sent out to find Burke and Wills organised at Brisbane by direction of the Royal Society of Victoria.

The Brig Firefly was chartered in Melbourne to take Landsborough from Brisbane to Carpentaria setting sail on the 24^{th of} August 1861, the beginning of a quite remarkable exploration.

A key exploration account in the cannon of the Burke & Wills rescue atte

$480.00

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Otis King Calculator [Spiral Slide Rule] Mid 20thC

Sikes’ Hydrometer Made by James J. Hicks, London for Mauri Bros and Thomson, Sydney

Travel and Sport in Turkestan [Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and a few more Stans] – Captain J.N. Price Wood – First edition 1910

Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

Kim Philby and other Russian Spy Celebrities – Russian Stamp Set 1990

Journal of Landsborough’s Expedition – From Carpentaria – in search of Burke and Wills – with a map showing his route – Rare First Edition 1862

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