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

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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The Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man. With an Outline of Glacial Post-tertiary Geology and Remarks on Theories of the Origin of Species with Special Reference to Man’s First Appearance on the Earth

A fourth English edition, much revised, published by John Murray in 1873. The first three being all in 1863. Thick royal octavo, 572 pages illustrated throughout. In the original binding with the gilt fossil device to front. A very good copy.

Carries the bookplate of John David Hope, from the great Scottish Lowlands family of that name, that for centuries have made their money from banking, the law and politics and owning loads of property. Related to the first Governor General of Australia, John Adrian Hope. The family motto is a good one “At Spes Non Fracta” – “Yet my Hope is not Broken” … a little corny. The heraldic emblem includes a broken terrestrial globe above which is a rainbow emanating from clouds on either side … describes their position quite well we think.

Scottish geologist Charles Lyell (1797-1875) brings a geological approach to this debate on the origin and age of mankind. Embracing Darwin’s theory of evolution, he references Lamarck, Chambers, Darwin, Wallace and Hooker. A comprehensive and careful review of fossil evidence with interesting evidence of man living in Europe among ancestors of elephants, rhinoceros and hippopotami. The age and development of languages in man are considered and the all important issue of the day .. could man be placed among the apes?

Lyell in there with Darwin and Evolution

$390.00

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Seven Professionally Prepared Antique Microscope Slides – Botanicals – by W. Watson

A fine collection of antique ring mounted botanical specimens. Comprising …

Leaf of Tea Tree
Leaf of Aloe ferox
Leaf of Laurel
Leaf of Tobacco Plant
Stem of Ribes
Lime Tree section
Lea bud of Ash

Some super examples with very minimal specimen degradation as can be seen from the images.

William Watson set up as an optician in 1837. He took up premises at 313 High Holborn, London in 1862. The business became W Watson & Sons from 1882. They took over the slide preparation business of Edmund Wheeler in 1884 and from them were to become one of the most successful preparers. These slides are circa 1900, though the Lime Tree is earlier and carries the distinctive Watson cursive style specimen label of the 1880’s.

Note tray not included slides will be sent in protective special purpose containers.

A good group of early quality mounts by Watson

$140.00

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Sikes’ Hydrometer – Made by Hicks of Hatton Garden, London for Osborn & Jerdan, Sydney c1900

A lovely classic Sikes hydrometer in a near pristine fitted mahogany case (25cm x 12cm x 6cm), original plush lining, with original bone plate engraved “Sikes’ Hydrometer made by J.J. Hicks, London for Osborn & Jerden Ltd Sydney” and decorative bone inlay surround.

The hydrometer float and all the weights carrying the same identification number (13573) – the float is engraved Sikes.

The bone backed thermometer is intact, working and in incredibly good condition. It is engraved the same as the case plate.

This is an upmarket version as there are also two boxwood rules for assisting in the calculations of proof etc. Both are marked with the makers name and address at 8,9 & 10 Hatton Garden, London.

Everything is in super condition.

There is a similar example at the Powerhouse, part of the Allan Bromley Collection.

James Joseph Hicks (1837-1916) first traded at 8 Hatton Gardens in the 1870’s. He expanded into adjoining premises in the 1890’s, so we would date this instrument c1900. Hicks had been apprenticed to L.P. Casella, fine instrument makers, also in the Hatton Garden district, in 1852. By 1860 he had risen to foreman and from that date a number of 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.

Osborn & Jerden were a highly successful Sydney outfit, the successors of Frost and Shipham. They were described as scientific opticians and electricians. They also sold upmarket scientific toys, magic lanterns and slides, photographic equipment, telephones, phonographs etc. They had the best Christmas window in Sydney. In 1907 C Byers Coates who worked for Osborn & Jerden was the cinematographer for “Robbery Under Arms” one of Australia’s earliest movies. The film was processed at their George Street facility.

See our research for a brief explanation on the Sikes’ Hydrometer.

Fine and complete Sikes’ Hydrometer with rules – Quality maker and special Sydney retailer.

$320.00

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Victorian Microscope Slide – Lapis Lazuli – From Persia by Edmund Wheeler – London c1870

Edmund Wheeler was a leading Victorian microscope slide preparer now highly collectable. He was a professional mounter from the 1860’s operating out of 48 Tollington Road, Holloway, London. He sold his business to Watson & Sons in 1884 and died the following year. He gained awards for his work in England and overseas at Philadelphia and Paris. All of Wheeler’s slides must be over 130 years old.

This is a fine and beautiful example of Persian Lapis Lazuli cut micro-thin with strong contrasting colouring and clarity. Backed with Wheeler yellow paper and with his distinctive monogrammed cover paper and typical oval title labels, annotated in Wheeler’s distinctive tidy cursive hand.

Packed like treasure … a light item despite that so postage will be reduced to actual on final billing.

A lovely example and a fine Wheeler slide – c1870

$60.00

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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.

The Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man. With an Outline of Glacial Post-tertiary Geology and Remarks on Theories of the Origin of Species with Special Reference to Man’s First Appearance on the Earth

Seven Professionally Prepared Antique Microscope Slides – Botanicals – by W. Watson

Sikes’ Hydrometer – Made by Hicks of Hatton Garden, London for Osborn & Jerdan, Sydney c1900

Victorian Microscope Slide – Lapis Lazuli – From Persia by Edmund Wheeler – London c1870

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