Science including Natural Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy, Medical Sciences etc

“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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Australian Mammals – Trade Cards over 100 Years Old

A group of six brightly coloured trade cards by Liebig advertising their delightful food products. Printed and issued from 1904-1910.

Six delightful card chromolithographs of 1 the dingo and spotted quoll 2. the echidna and the Tasmanian devil 3. The wombat and the Tasmanian tiger (Buidelwolf) 4. The sea elephant and sea lion 5. Fruit bats looking for fruit 6 the kangaroo rat and the wallaby. 0cms x 7.3cms.

Price $80.00 the group

A nice early set of mammals with the desired no longer living Tasmanian Tiger

$80.00

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Victorian Telescope – 36 inch two draw – mahogany cased – c1880

This beautiful two draw telescope is English by origin and made in the Victorian era c1880.

It is in superb condition. Fully extended it is near 36 inches – closed about 16 inches. The 1.5 inch objective is clear and has good light gathering qualities – no chips. The mahogany casing is intact which is rare as they generally split with age. The eyepiece has a pull down dust cover as is usual for the period.

The brass objective has a dust cover fitted into a substantial extendable lens shade which slides well … all in very good condition. An instrument of this quality must have come from a leading London maker and the style suggests Dollond.

Good optics and fine mahogany banding making a handsome early telescope

Best one we have had for a long time!

$590.00

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The Year of the Quiet Sun – Adrian Hayter – Quality Book Issue

Adrian Hayter was chosen as the leader of the New Zealand Antarctic expedition of 1964-65.

This is his record of experiences at and around the Scott Base in the Ross Sea Dependency.

Published by the Quality Book Club following the Hodder and Stoughton first the same year 1968. We also have the Hodder version … see separate write up.

Octavo,191 pages, illustrated from original photographs, diagrams etc. A very good copy apart from light soiling front jacket

A well written and readable account from the previously published author. As well as the trips, experience, difficulties etc we have a honest account of the personnel issues that arise out of the extended close contact and isolation.

Reference Renard 680

Good cold weather account on the industrious NZ Antarctic team

$25.00

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Horne and Thornthwaite Field Microscope – Triple compound objective – 1874

A Victorian field or students drum microscope by one of the most important London based makers and retailers of optical instruments in the 19th Century Horne and Thornthwaite. Carries their stamp inside the lid when they were at Holborn Viaduct which can be pinned down to 1874, having moved from Newgate the year before moving to upmarket premises in the Strand the year after.

The business sold microscope, telescopes, cameras, chemicals and laboratory equipment from 1844 until 1911. The history of the business is fascinating but unfortunately too much to go into here. There is an excellent summary online .. we can direct any interested parties.

The microscope on offer is in very good if not better condition. The condition of the lacquer is possibly the best we have seen. The optics are pretty good and the compounding objectives combine nicely, swivel mirror unblemished. The original mahogany box has its original clips and eyelets and shows little ageing or patina on the lid. Internally undamaged. Comes with what look like original specimen tweezers.

Super condition field microscope – known relevant maker retailer.

$260.00

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Epitolae Medicanales Variis Occasionibus Conscriptae – Ricardo Carr – 1691

A first edition of this scarce 17th Century collection of medical instruction by Richard Carr MD published by Anson Stafford, London in 1691.

Small octavo, 12, 200,6 pages, bound in full period leather, some wear, cracked hinges holding well, very clean inside, a very good copy of a rare medical work.

Richard Carr was born in Lincolnshire, educated at Louth Grammar School and then Magdalene College, Cambridge. He entered Cambridge, shortly after Newton, as a sizar in 1667, graduated BA in 1670 and MA in 1674. He then became Master of the Saffron Walden Grammar. In 1683 he went to Leyden to study Physic and then back to Cambridge for his MD in 1686. He was created a Fellow of the College of Physicians by James II Charter, admitted in 1687.

{Note a “sizar” was a special arrangement at Cambridge whereby food lodgings etc could be obtained for free by the sizar completing some lowly task such as serving food to others etc … Newton was also a form of sizar called a subsizer]

This book is his main recognised work; it is dedicated to the College of Physicians.

The book contains eighteen “epistles” written in a readable popular style as if addressed to patients rather than physicians. They are in Latin. The first epistle deals with the use of sneezing powders, the second smoking tobacco and numerous others relate to dietetics including a strong suggestion that it is most healthy to get blind drunk once a month. The virtues of the Tonbridge and Bath waters are discussed as well as the remedial effects of a trip to Montpellier for phthisis. He reflects on the “struma” and notes that King Charles II touched over ninety two thousand people between 1660 and 1682 and respectfully doubts they all got well. His third epistle deals with the coffee-houses … not a modern phenomena … referring to coffee, thee, twist (a mixture of both), salvia and chocolate.

Wise Medical Advice from Cambridge Physician Richard Carr – 1691

$460.00

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

Australian Mammals – Trade Cards over 100 Years Old

Victorian Telescope – 36 inch two draw – mahogany cased – c1880

The Year of the Quiet Sun – Adrian Hayter – Quality Book Issue

Horne and Thornthwaite Field Microscope – Triple compound objective – 1874

Epitolae Medicanales Variis Occasionibus Conscriptae – Ricardo Carr – 1691

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