Medical, Medical History and Medical Science

Antique French Microscope [Probably Nachet – see Billings Collection] – c1860

A nice mid 19thC microscope with original box. Likely by the French maker Nachet of Paris. Everything including the original lacquer in very good condition. Functioning well.

Similar if not identical to the Billings Collection Fig 125, page 67. Billings states makers unknown but suggests Nachet or Hartnack both of Paris and circa 1860’s. Also, see online “History of the Microscope” which shows three examples of which this is the larger of the three – they reference English maker J.H. steward as making something similar but recognise a French maker re this specific style.

The microscope arises from a painted green and gold-toned weighted foot via a ball and socket joint to the bottom of the pillar. A small knob on the foot adjusts the tension on the ball and socket joint to allow the user to lock the position of inclination. The single sided gimbaled mirror is attached to the pillar via a pin. Focusing of the main tube is by a knurled knob acting on the rack and pinion. On the tube a ring carries a two-jointed arm with a bullseye condenser. The objective “French” double button type; compounding. Beneath the stage is a revolving disc of diaphragms, above the stage a casing with a lyre-shaped stage clip. Stands circa eleven inches closed. The original box retains its original sections, has some cracks and age about it but authentic and has kept the microscope in very good condition.

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Camille Sebastien Nachet was a Parisian optician at the beginning of the 19th Century. He began producing lenses for the famous microscope manufacturer Chevalier but later set up his own small business at 16 Rue Serpente, Paris. He produced his first instruments based on the drum- type base models made previously by other manufacturers. He was succeeded by his son Jean Alfred 1831-1908. Nachet is included with Chevalier and Oberhauser as the three leading makers in Paris at this time.

Unusual French microscope over 150 years old

$340.00

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Vintage Quality Science Specimen Jar

A good example of a good quality vintage (circa 1930’s) specimen jar.

Hard glass design vertical sides, stopper same width as jar, nice ground glass stopper a beautiful fit, some age but authentic. Heavily fluted base for stability. No chemical residue apart from slight “eau de naphthalene” so likely used to store biological / botanical specimens.

Unusual scientific sample jar of upmarket design

$45.00

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A Vindication of Phrenology – W. Matthieu Williams – First edition 1894

Published by Chatto and Windus, London in 1894 a first edition of this “vindication” book by the esteemed phrenologist Williams.

Largish octavo, xxii, 428 pages. Frontispiece photograph of the author pondering the shape of the head and its bumps crevices. Several illustrated plates and figures within the text. A very good copy.

The author was a distinguished scientist and Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Chemical Society. He also authored a book titled “The Chemistry of Cooking” … Heston please note.

If you don’t understand phrenology well this is the book for you … interest in the pseudo science was waning by this date maybe hence the vindication … some good things came out of it though … it’s all a matter of perspective.

Phrenology explained and vindicated!

$90.00

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The Elements of Dowsing – Henry de France

Anyone interested in the extraordinary skill of dowsing, to discover water of valuable minerals, should read this efficient go to book by Le Vicomte Henry de France. This English edition translated by A.H. Bell and published by G Bell, London in 1967.

We learn that the author was a leading expert in the field who unfortunately packed his clogs before it was published.

Octavo, 84 pages with the occasional appropriate sketch or diagram. Ownership name marked out on free end paper … otherwise a fine copy in a very good dust jacket.

Set out in nine chapters we start with the “History of the Art of Dowsing” and then the instruments – the Pendulum and the Rod. This leads to the Technique and Dowsing for Water and Minerals and Metals – enough to get any budding geologist interested. More advanced applications and an introduction to Radiesthesia … in cooking, medical applications and agriculture (some serious money saving ideas for the farmer with time to study and experiment).

Ever since we saw Jimmy on Opal Hunters get his dowsing rod out we have been hooked.

Understand and learn the science of dowsing – better than any University degree.

$40.00

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Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

Translates literally “Silly Medical Songs” and they are. Andrew Douglas Maclagan (1812-1900) was an eminent Scottish surgeon and toxicologist. In his lifetime he was President of five of the mots distinguished Societies in Scotland. As a toxicologist he was called to Court to give evidence … as a young man he supported the prosecution in the Burke and Hare affair.

Printed by Thomas Constable, Edinburgh in 1850 – a first edition (it was reprinted in 1873). Effectively self published. Maclagan vaguely covered his identity as the author is names as “The Poet Laureate of the New Town Dispensary”. Octavo, bark brown embossed cloth covered boards with gilt titling to front, 82 pages with manuscript additions to rear end paper. Remnant seal to back paste down.

Given the period any reader will be pleasantly surprised how amusing the said poem/songs are … and much fun must have been had with them. Footnotes have been provided which explain the circumstances and sometimes individuals at fault or lampooned. No punches held.

What makes this copy more charming is the manuscript addition. Internally they sometimes correct the events suggested. At the rear we have in neat manuscript further ditties by Maclagan that are not in the published work. Clearly someone who knew the great man very well. 19thC press clipping re Maclagan affixed front free end.

Silly Songs by a most distinguished physician.

$180.00

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Precognition and Human Survival – Drayton Thomas.

Published by the Psychic Press, High Holborn London. No date but we suspect late 1940’s.

We cannot find any earlier versions of this work by the late 19thC Reverend Drayton Thomas who penned a number of intriguing books through Fowler and Wells such as Human Magnetism and the simply put Brain and Mind.

Octavo, 115 pages, super deep red dust jacket over lime green cloth covered boards, titling on jacket repeated on boards. A very good if not better copy.

“If a man should die shall he live again”. We are told that the book is the outcome of thirty years extensive research into the study of trance mediumship with the gifted sensitive Mrs Osborne Leonard. No effort is spared to provide satisfactory evidence … of many kinds. A stenographer was employed … well the expense spared.

Drayton Thomas – Precognition Proven.

$40.00

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Antique French Microscope [Probably Nachet – see Billings Collection] – c1860

Vintage Quality Science Specimen Jar

A Vindication of Phrenology – W. Matthieu Williams – First edition 1894

The Elements of Dowsing – Henry de France

Nugae Canorae Medicae – Sir Andrew Douglas Maclagan – First edition 1850 – With Additional Contemporary Manuscript Content

Precognition and Human Survival – Drayton Thomas.

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