Prestige Items

Antique Direct Vision Spectroscope by Nachet of Paris c1900

A fully functioning direct vision spectroscope by Camille Nachet of Paris in its original shagreen tube style case. The scientific method is after a design by Browning of London with alternating 3 flint glass prisms with 2 crown glass prisms. This pocket-sized spectroscope was often used to detect the Rainband a spectral effect that can be seen before impending rain. Handy if you are off in the country without a brolly.

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 was succeeded by his son Jean Alfred 1831-1908. Nachet is included with Chevalier and Oberhauser as the three leading optical instrument makers in Paris at this time.

Special French Direct Vision Spectroscope

$240.00

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“The Arabian Nights” – The Book of the Thousand Nights and A Night & The Supplemental Nights to the Thousand Nights and A Night – 16 Volumes Complete – Sir Richard Francis Burton

To many, one of the greatest men to live in the Victorian era Sir Richard Francis Burton- Adventurer, Explorer, Linguist extraordinaire… originally published the first ten volume work in 1885 and the additional six volumes between 1886 and 1888.

Criticised and acclaimed Burton did not hold back exposing the sexual imagery in the source texts and further emphasising by adding extensive footnotes and appendices on Oriental sexual more.

Because of strict laws on obscene material these volumes were printed privately for subscribers only by “The Burton Club” – this set circa 1910.

Collectable and gift worthy. A trifle rubbed here and there and the gilt spines a little light affected – otherwise a super and substantial set.

Heavy and obviously large in scale – a postage supplement will be required, at cost, dependent on the location of the purchaser … please enquire – it will be worthwhile

The whole of the Arabian Nights in captivating Burton Language.

$490.00

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Rare Large Sized Microscope Size – Lantern Fly – China

No date or maker but this presentation was a specialty in the late Victorian / Edwardian era. Reference authority “Bracegirdle” shows a number of “outsized” examples but none quite like this.

In modern terms known as the spotted lantern fly. The insect is on the move and a potential threat in Australia – modelling has shown that it could survive well in western and north-western Victoria. When we say a threat, it was endemic to China and Vietnam but moved into South Korea in 2006, Japan in 2009 and the USA in 2014 … so the move is on.

Here the little blighter is beautifully preserved and presented in Canada Balsam … we know that CB was the mounters choice due its quality and the cursive narrative says so.

A microscopical rarity outsized mount of the Spotted Lantern Fly.

$180.00

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Amsler Polar Planimeter [Measuring the area of complex irregular shapes/ boundaries] c1910

Plush-lined fitted case some 12” long contains a polar planimeter invented by Swiss mathematician Jacob Amsler. All in very good condition and working order.

The instrument was a revolutionary change from the complex Cartesian system base instruments used before. This device uses polar co-ordinates.

With this device two arms are connected with a pivot both arms moving around the anchor. As the pivot moves back and forth it traces an area whose net measurement is zero. The means that the area traced by the tracer point exactly equals the area of the closed curve. The area is equivalent to 2pi X the product of the length of the tracer arm, the radius of the counting wheel and the number of revolutions of the counting wheel.

In more modern times mathematicians apply “Green’s theorem”.

Amsler’s radical and very useful new design

$190.00

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Australian Ashes Cricket Team 1934 [Bradman, Woodfull, Ponsford et al] Unusual Original Advertising Memorabilia.

Significant size would frame and display nicely – fragile so handle carefully. One of the most usual pieces of period advertising we have come across.

With the strong message “Well laundered sports wear gives confidence” we are told to “Send your cricket and tennis flannels and Ladies sports frocks” for proper laundry treatment to provide the above mentioned confidence.

Nice image of the team, not all in baggy green and a strangely suited L Darling.

The 1934 Ashes were held in England and Australia won off the back of some solid batting by Bradman and Ponsford. England started well wining the first test – Verity took 15 wickets. The next two were drawn but Bradman/ Ponsford scored a partnership of 388 at Headingley and 452 at the Oval to take the urn.

Dimensions 50cm by 25cm, the odd wrinkle as one would expected but generally in good condition – take care of it!

Bradman 1934 Ashes treasure – how has it survived?

$160.00

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WWI Copper Flask in Original Bespoke Leather Carrying Case [Super Condition] – Captain McCracken

Captain Kenneth Mills McCracken was a member of the Royal Field Artillery attached to the Royal Flying Corps. His service record covered the entire of WWI 1914-1918 so likely one of the few that survived his dangerous role.

Born in 1895 and from Newcastle-Upon Tyne he was a medical student at Edinburgh University when World War One broke out.

The Royal Flying Corp was the air arm of the British Army at the start of the war and it was not until 1918 that it merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to become the Royal Air Force.

McCracken’s record shows that he was skilled in artillery observation; so, he was likely an aerial observer or photographer. At the beginning of the war their photographic efforts were very primitive almost hopeless until 1915. By 1918 they could make decent images from 15,000 feet and had a team of 3,000 people analysing the results. The Royal Flying Corp didn’t get into aerial combat until the later part of the war.

The item is in great condition. The full leather casing is 25cm by 10cm, stitching perfect – nicely embossed with McCracken’s details. The copper thermos has a ding but is a solid actually useable item. The screw on top is undamaged and goes on and off easily.

Special WWI Item in great condition with interesting provenance

$290.00

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Antique Direct Vision Spectroscope by Nachet of Paris c1900

“The Arabian Nights” – The Book of the Thousand Nights and A Night & The Supplemental Nights to the Thousand Nights and A Night – 16 Volumes Complete – Sir Richard Francis Burton

Rare Large Sized Microscope Size – Lantern Fly – China

Amsler Polar Planimeter [Measuring the area of complex irregular shapes/ boundaries] c1910

Australian Ashes Cricket Team 1934 [Bradman, Woodfull, Ponsford et al] Unusual Original Advertising Memorabilia.

WWI Copper Flask in Original Bespoke Leather Carrying Case [Super Condition] – Captain McCracken

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