Medical, Medical History and Medical Science

The Billings Microscope Collection of the Medical Museum Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. James Hansen et al [Second and Preferred Edition]

This is the preferred second edition 1974 of this standard reference for antique microscope collectors and those interested in antique scientific instruments generally. It contains 32 additional pages of microscopes to the first published in 1967.

The existence of this collection which maybe rivals that of the London Microscopical Society is down to Lieutenant John S Billings a medical officer in the US Amy who was put in charge of the Army Medical Museum. He did a magnificent job and must have been well financed and supported. He built the heart of the collection between 1883 and 1993 [couldn’t be a better period}. The result has been augmented over the year from donations and acquisitions.

Softcover quarto, 244 pages, 4 colour plates and 473 black and white photographs of examples. Very good condition ... the covers might look marked but it is just the trendy arty finish.

A brief history of the microscope is followed by a three part catalogue. Part I … contains the collection acquired by Billings and later donations etc up until 1966. Part II represents a significant collected added from Europe in 1966 – the Kaas Collection. Part II are the important additions since the first printing.

Billings and essential scientific reference – the best edition .

$120.00

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“Society of Arts” Victorian Brass Microscope with Case – c1860-70

A quality fully working English brass microscope from around 1860-70.

With the early V shaped bar for rack and pinion focus and fine adjustment knurled knob. Two objectives both multiple compounding. There is also Live Box for observing creepy crawlies. The concave mirror is in very good condition. The original mahogany case is a quality box, original to the instrument and in very good condition, with separate drawer for slides and bits and pieces. The case still has its original lock and its key, often long lost. The microscope is mounted on a rectangular mahogany board which slides into the case.

Very similar to the example presented by Peter Turner FRMS to the Royal Microscopical Society catalogued as number 92 in authority Turner.

In the early 1850’s the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce offered a prize for the design of a compact compound microscope that could sell for 3 guineas. The design, which is reflected here, was won by Robert Fields & Son of Birmingham in 1854. Due to the popularity of the design it was copied by others but often at a higher price. These copies were often unsigned as is the case here. However, the brass foot is very much in the style of Ross so we suspect it came from that maker.

Nice 19th Century Cased Brass Microscope..

$640.00

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Antique Microscope Slide – Human Fleas – E Bryan c1900

A very nice example prepared by E Bryan Optician of Manchester, England [Not in Bracegirdle]. Bryan operated at the premises in 24 Cross Street c1900. The slide carries his label and a brief subject description.

Male and female examples of the human flea .. that is male and female fleas not fleas of male and female for the grammatically and scientifically challenged.

The Human Flea (Pulex Irritans), an interesting Latin name, is happy on a number of hosts not just humans. It was thought to have originated on South American Guinea Pigs. The female burrows into the flesh particularly around the feet and ovulates internally.

The first single flea image is the female and the second the male

Antique He and She Flea

$70.00

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Field or Students Microscope c1900- Large size with three separate objectives and group of antique French microscope slides – fine condition.

A late Victorian perhaps Edwardian student’s or field drum microscope. In fine working condition. Original wooden case. This variety would have been used by naturalist’s in the field and French by manufacture.

Three brass objectives all in excellent condition. Overall, good optics, retains the original lacquer, swivel mirror unblemished. Comes with five 19thC French style prepared slides.

Mahogany fitted case in fine condition.

Practical antique scientific instrument

$290.00

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Lectures on The Blood and on The Changes which It Undergoes During Disease – Magendie

First published in English by Haswell, New Orleans in 1839. This edition for the Classics of Medicine Library published by Gryphon in 1996.

Large octavo, 276 pages, printed by Quebecor Kingsport from film of the original courtesy of the Library of the College of Physicians, Philadelphia. Paper specially made for this edition by Glatfelter. Bound in full leather by the printers. Deluxe endpapers specially commissioned from Richard J Wolfe. All edges gilt, cover design in gilt by Daniel Bianchi and Selma Ordewer

Francois Magendie (1783-1855) was a physiologist and a forerunner of experimental physiology. He conducted dissections on live animals for which he was criticised by many, including later Darwin and Huxley.

Magendie unorthodox but effective experimental physiologist – his thinking and lectures on blood disorders before their time.

$60.00

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The Great Age of the Microscope – Professor Gerard L’E Turner

One of if not the book on the development of the microscope. Issued as a celebration of the then 150-year-old Royal Microscopical Society and based on its irreplaceable and undisputably best collection in the world.

Published by specialist Adam Hilger, Bristol and New York in 1989. Quarto, 379 pages, nicely illustrated with several hundred images from photographs of the items described.

The author, Gerard L’E Turner was Professor of the History of Scientific Instruments at Imperial College, London – what job! He was a Research Fellow at the Science Museum and one time President of the esteemed Royal Microscopical Society.

The Society was formed in 1839 and every instrument they purchased, from the very first that year, is still held by the Society. This book covers over 450 prime examples starting from those made in the early 1700’s.

After preliminary explanations on instrument development and the formation of the Society we have … Compound early 17thC; Culpeper style; Cuff style; Gould type; Powell and Lealand; Ross; Smith and Beck; Swift; non British; Projection; Reflecting and then a plethora of associated instruments.

No better Modern book on Old Microscopes

$150.00

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The Billings Microscope Collection of the Medical Museum Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. James Hansen et al [Second and Preferred Edition]

“Society of Arts” Victorian Brass Microscope with Case – c1860-70

Antique Microscope Slide – Human Fleas – E Bryan c1900

Field or Students Microscope c1900- Large size with three separate objectives and group of antique French microscope slides – fine condition.

Lectures on The Blood and on The Changes which It Undergoes During Disease – Magendie

The Great Age of the Microscope – Professor Gerard L’E Turner

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