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

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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Conquest of Space – Historical Documentary Record of the First Manned Space-Orbit Flight by Major Yuri Gagarin.

Not a number one record at the time and so rare and collectable now. A great gift for any space buff with a record turntable.

A Britone 45rpm mono recording in collaboration with Mezhdunarodnaya Kniga, USSR and with acknowledgement to the USSR Academy of Sciences.

On 12th April 1961 Vostok was launched into space with Yuri Gagarin on board. Vostok orbited the Earth at 18 thousand miles per hour at up to 203 miles above the Earth’s surface. Gagarin 28 years old was the very first spaceman.

The record includes Moscow Radio’s announcement of the successful launch an that Vostok was in orbit; Some bars from the song Gagarin sang during his decent back to Earth; Gagarin speaking prior to the flight; Gagarin’s speech at the later Red Square reception and that of Krushchev; the Press Conference at the Scientists Club, Moscow … and another Gagarin musical favourite “I love you, life”.

Note for those challenged by the Russian language each element is followed by an English translation.

Pretty special the first man in Space and an unusual useable period tribute.

$50.00

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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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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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Horne and Thornthwaite Field Microscope – Triple compound objective – 1874

Epitolae Medicanales Variis Occasionibus Conscriptae – Ricardo Carr – 1691

Conquest of Space – Historical Documentary Record of the First Manned Space-Orbit Flight by Major Yuri Gagarin.

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

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