Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

French Miniature Furnace Microscope – c1850-60

Scarce miniature Mineral or Furnace Microscope attributed to Bertrand, Paris in the Billings Collection pages 37 and 193. The Billings example no 369 on page 193 is identical even down to the circle made on the outer case from running the closing catch around.

Beautifully made, the original mahogany box has a conical dove tail slide cut into its top into which the instrument sits. The brass base screws to the tune stand. There is a square cut in the front that houses a single mirror on a milled head pivot. The stand is cut away for the fixed circular stage. At the top of the stand there is a screw in cylinder into which the body tube slides. There is an outer casing which slides downward to become a slide holder. The objective and ocular screw in.

This is a collector’s item – it is probably one of the smallest practical microscopes ever made, is extremely well made and in as perfect a condition one could expect for its age. The case is undamaged with a great patina.

Case dimensions approximately 85mm x 45mm x 35mm. Microscope height 75mm base diameter 25mm.

Perfect collectable miniature microscope – over 150 years old.
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$260.00

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Original PhD Thesis – The Force-Field Approach to Neutron Monitor Observations of the Eleven-Year Cosmic-Ray Modulation Cycle – H. Morall

Harm Moraal [1947-2015] born in the Netherlands but spent most of his life in his adopted home South Africa where he was Professor of Physics at Potchefstroom University. He became an accepted world authority in Cosmic Rays and a member of the Commission on Cosmic Rays of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics – now the Commission on Astro-particle Physics – in the 1990’s he was Chair of the Commission. He was involved in numerous other related bodies.

Harm Moraal completed this PhD in December 1973. The work comprises 130 pages reproduced from typescript bound in faux black Morocco, gilt titles to front hand done consistent with the techniques of the period.

This is high level science and of history of science merit. Chapter subjects include :–

Cosmic-Ray Modulation Theory [Development of Equations; Mono-Energetic Solutions; Force-Filed Solutions etc]

The Force-Field Equation Applied to Neutron Monitor Response Functions [Force-Field Equations for a Mixture of Particle; Neutron Monitor Distribution Functions (the Experiments); Validity of the modified convection diffusion approximation etc]

The Force-Field Equation Applied to Measurements of Stationary Neutron Monitors [Fractions Counting Rates etc]

The Modulation of Cosmic-Ray Electrons [Comparison with neutron monitor results and separability of the diffusion coefficient etc]

Various Appendices including – the Rigidity Dependence of the Diffusion Coefficient near the Cosmic-Ray Maximum of May 1965.

Important PhD Thesis by a man who then devoted his life to his subject Cosmic-ray Physicist Harm Moraal .

$140.00

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The Geology of the Broken Hill District – E.C. Andrews – 1922 – along with the Supplement of 1923.

Memoir No 8 of The Geological Survey of New South Wales – probably the most important and certainly the most comprehensive / voluminous.

Large thick quarto (25cn x 32cm) xx, 432 pages, 124 plates, numerous maps, plans and diagrams.

Light ageing to the original heavy boards, very clean inside a super copy of a now scarce item, rarely together with the Supplementary item, quarto, same dimensions, 28 pages and nine excellent coloured plates of mineral specimens.

The principal work produced by William Gullick, Government Printer, Sydney – the Supplement by Alfred Kent also appointed Government Printer – maybe a specialist in the colour plates.

A heavy item and an Overseas postage supplement may be required – please enquire we can be helpful.

Ernest Clayton Andres (1870-1948) another legend from the “golden era” of Australian geology – disciple of Edgeworth David. Had a tough upbringing but still managed to get to Sydney University to study mathematics. It was there he met Edgeworth David. Taught but continued to study chemistry and geology. Presented his first geological paper in 1898 on the Bathurst region. Did much work on coral reefs [using Agassiz material]. This work and the later Mineral Industry of New South Wales [1928] are considered epics. Highly praised and prized – Lyell Medal London Royal Geological Society. His entry in the official Australian Dictionary of Biography well worth the read.

Important substantial geological work together with its supplement.

$790.00

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Antique Drum Microscope [Steward’s Portable Botanical Compound Microscope] c1870’s

A very nice cased English drum or field microscope. We have identified this exact type including accessories in the J.H. Steward Catalogue for 1871 so we can date it pretty well – see image of catalogue page with full description.

Original mahogany case with internal compartments circa 21cm x 8cm x 7cm. It has a crack in the lid of no structural consequence. Overall, a lovely patina superior to the usual pine equivalents.

Microscope in good condition with original eyepiece, three numbered objectives – instructions claim to give maximum magnification of 10,000 times.

Also provided is a brass box with a glass bottom usually for aquatic objects also crystals, salts etc. An insect box for small live insects. Five [would have been six] named paper covered prepared slides original to the set.

Extra special, almost unheard of, we still have the original “printed directions” with schematic of the microscope and accessories. Put back together by someone else with Sellotape

A super example of this upmarket drum style brass microscope.

Steward’s Catalogue goes on … “For Utility, Portability, and Cheapness, this Instrument is not equalled; and to convey some idea of its power, a Microscopic Photograph of the “Trial of Pickwick”, containing upwards 9,000 letters, and occupying the space of a pin’s head, when placed under this Instrument every word can be rad with the greatest ease”

1870’s Quality identified drum microscope with original accessories and printed directions.

$360.00

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Siluria – The History of the Oldest Known Rocks Containing Organic Remains; with a Brief Sketch of the Distribution of Gold Over the Earth – Sir Roderick Impey Murchison – First Edition 1854

A very good copy of the first edition of this most important scientific work, published by John Murray, London in 1854.

Thick Royal Octavo, bound in full leather, separate green leather title label, gilt decorations to compartments on the spine. Marbled end papers with the marbling continuing to the page edges, boards with decorative edge gilding to front, back and edge. 523 pages after preliminaries, followed by 37 lithographed plates of the principal Silurian fossils, with descriptive letterpress, folding world map at page 475. Separate folding Geological Map of the Silurian Rocks in pocket at rear.

The coloured folding map (53cm by 43cm) published under Murray drawn by J.W. Lowry and lithographed by Vincent Brooks is a first edition dated 1853 of the Geological Map of the Silurian Rocks and overlying formations as developed in Wales and the Adjacent Parts of England, chiefly prepared for the Geological Survey of Great Britain. It is in very good condition, cloth backed likely at the time of binding.

The plates are well executed, many by James De Carle Sowerby (1787-1872) eldest son of the great James Sowerby and founder of the Royal Botanical Society.

Roderick Impey Murchison (1792-1871) was an incredible individual. Scottish born, born into a wealthy, and was sent to Durham for schooling at the age of 7, after the death of his father. He joined the military and at 16 saw action in the Peninsula War. In 1818 he met Sir Humphrey Davy who persuaded him to pursue science. He joined the Royal Geological Society … his colleagues included, William Buckland, Charles Lyell and Darwin. He worked with Lyell on the geology of the Alps. In the 1830’s he did much research in and around the England Wales border and through that established the Silurian system and then went on to categorise the Devonian and Permian systems.

In 1845 Murchison new several Cornish miners who were off to Australia to explore for gold. They sent back samples … so Murchison new of the discovery of gold in Australia before Edward Hargraves.

He won many distinguished awards including the Royal Society Copley Medal, the Geological Society Wollaston Medal, and the Edinburgh Brisbane Medal (Another Australian connection). Also, many overseas awards. He was President of the Royal Geographical Society on four separate occasions, importantly he was one of the founders in 1830.

A crater on the Moon is named after him as well as geographical features in Greenland, USA, Canada, Antarctica, Uganda. In Australia the Murchison River with its tributaries named, Roderick and Impey.

Murchison and Siluria – First Edition Cornerstone Geology from distinguished author Murchison.

$690.00

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The Gold Deposits of the Granites-Tanami Districts, Central Australia by P.S. Hossfeld – 1940 [Edric Chaffer’s Copy]

Sought after report of this area that contains the now 600,000 oz per annum Newmont operated mine. To date 12 million ounces have been extracted and mining activities are continuing at a depth of 1.5 km.

The author Paul Samuel Hossfeld (1896-1967) was born in South Australia worked various geological roles in Australia and Papua New Guinea. During WWII he conducted experimental work for the Government in Melbourne returning to his chosen field afterwards retiring as a senior lecturer at the School of Geology, Adelaide University.

Complete report being no 43 of the Aerial, Geological and Geophysical Survey of Northern Australia. Foolscap in size 28 pages of narrative followed by a full set of eight large folding, mainly coloured, folding maps and plans, all in superb condition.

One of the most remote areas of Australia approximately 500kms north-west of Alice Springs. Arthur Davidson was the first European to discover signs of gold in the Tanami desert around 1900. He gave the area the name Tanami from a local word meaning water hole. It was not until this report based on work conducted throughout the 1930’s that the true potential was recognised – another eighty years would pass until the bonanza became real. What other prospects exist within these reports?

The maps, charts etc include

1. Geological Map – the Granites- Tanami District, Central Australia – Colour [65cm x 35cm]

2. Plan of Quorn-Golden Sho-Vee Portion of the Granites Gold-Field etc showing Geology, Lodes, Workings and Assays – Colour [75cn x 45cm]

3. Assay Plan & Sections of Portion of Golden Shoe & Vee Workings etc [70cm x 56cm]

4. Plan of Long Bottom -Bullagitchie Portion – The Granites etc showing Geology, Lodes, Workings, Assays – Colour [65cm x 45cm]

5. Plan of Bunker’s Hill – Chapman’s hill Portion etc – Colour – [65cm x 95cm!]

6. Plan Tanami Goldfield etc – Reefs & Assays – Some colour – [50cm x 75cm]

7. Plan of Northern Portion – Tanami Gold Field etc [70cm x 70cm]

8. Map – Western Portion of Central Australia Showing Topographical Features – [95cm x 75cm]

The final map above ranges from Alice Springs in the south east to Tennant Creek in the north east; Lake MacDonald in the south west and the sandy areas above Tanami in the north-west. A really super maps produced from numerous sources including aerial surveys in 1934, 1937 and 1938.

Ownership signature of past President of the Royal Society of New South Wales, geologist, Edric Keith Chaffer.

The Granites and Tanami Regions Gold Prospects Expertly reported by Hossfeld

$390.00

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French Miniature Furnace Microscope – c1850-60

Original PhD Thesis – The Force-Field Approach to Neutron Monitor Observations of the Eleven-Year Cosmic-Ray Modulation Cycle – H. Morall

The Geology of the Broken Hill District – E.C. Andrews – 1922 – along with the Supplement of 1923.

Antique Drum Microscope [Steward’s Portable Botanical Compound Microscope] c1870’s

Siluria – The History of the Oldest Known Rocks Containing Organic Remains; with a Brief Sketch of the Distribution of Gold Over the Earth – Sir Roderick Impey Murchison – First Edition 1854

The Gold Deposits of the Granites-Tanami Districts, Central Australia by P.S. Hossfeld – 1940 [Edric Chaffer’s Copy]

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