Other Scientific Instruments

Ptolemaic armillary sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, ante 1798 Wood and papier-mâché covered with printed and partly hand-colored paper It measures 15.55 in in height x Ø 10...

Brass adjustable desk magnifier 20th century Elegant desktop magnifying glass made of golden brass, with original magnifying glass and very ...

Ptolemaic armillary sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, ante 1798 Wood and papier-mâché covered with printed and partly hand-colored paper It measures 16.37 in in height x Ø 10.94 in (41.60 cm - Ø 27.80 cm) It weights 2.33 lb (1,058 g) State of conservation: consistent with its age and use, the paper shows some signs of use, stains and abrasions. The sphere is Ptolemaic, with the Earth placed at its center, surrounded by the Moon and the Sun mounted on two metal arms. The sphere is composed of six horizontal and two vertical rings (armillae), each bearing graduations and its own name. The first horizontal ring is illegible. The others, in descending order are: North Pole, Tropic of Cancer, Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, South Pole. The vertical rings consist of two double meridians. The sphere is then connected to the large meridian by two pins, a vertical ring inserted perpendicularly into the circle of the Horizon, in turn supported by four semicircles connected to the turned and black-stained wooden base. Each element is covered with printed paper. It contains various pieces of information: latitudes, length of days, names and zodiac symbols, calendar, wind directions, etc. The vertical circles mention the latitudes and longitudes of different cities: Rome, Bordeaux, Madrid, Boston, Batavia (Jakarta), Acapulco, etc. Even the small terrestrial globe is covered with printed paper: continents and oceans appear with numerous geographical markings indicating the most recent explorations. In the Pacific Ocean, west of South America bears the following inscription: GLOBE TERRESTRIAL à Paris chez Delamarche Géog Rue du Foin Jacques Au Collège de M.e Gervais The North American coasts are well delineated and California appears correctly as a peninsula - reports from Spanish explorers in the region had given rise to confusion as to whether it was connected to the mainland or not. The geographical nature of California was confirmed after the explorations of Juan Bautista de Anza (1774-1776). Alaska is not described and is only partially traced; it would become part of the United States in 1867. Various Pacific islands are indicated. Australia (the name definitely used from 1824) is called "Nouvelle Hollande." Tasmania is still represented as a peninsula and this is an important detail for the dating of our armillary sphere. The island is separated from Australia by Bass Strait, which was crossed by Matthew Flinders for the first time in 1798, showing that it was not a peninsula. Delamarche certainly would not have waited a long time to update such an important geographical datum: presumably he did so shortly after receiving the news. Charles-François Delamarche (1740-1817) founded his laboratory around 1770 and, in a few years, he became the most famous French cartographer and globe maker between the 18th and 19th centuries. After having acquired the laboratory of the late Didier Robert de Vaugondy (1723-1786; himself a renowned cartographer who continued the family business founded by his grandfather Nicolas Sanson in the seventeenth century) and after having purchased, between 1788 and around 1800, the businesses of Jean-Baptiste Fortin (1750-1831) and Jean Lattré (around 1750-1800), he began to call himself "Successeur de MM. Sanson and Robert de Vaugondi, Géographes du Roi and de M. Fortin, Ingénieur-mécanicien du Roi pour les globes et les sphères." Thus, at the end of the eighteenth century, Delamarche possessed the warehouse stocks, as well as the manufacturing skills of the globes of his main rivals in Paris. In addition to this aggressive acquisition policy, the key to its success also lay in the combination of high-quality cartography combined with extremely attractive globes and armillary spheres; and, of course, its famous red paint finishing touch. His laboratory was located on Rue de Foin St Jacques "au Collège Me. (or "Mtre") Gervais" in the Latin Quarter of Paris until around 1805, when he moved to rue du Jardinet No. 13. On the death of Charles-François in 1817, the reins of the company passed to his son Félix (1779-1835), who continued to publish, often in collaboration with the engraver Charles Dien, Sr. In 1835 the company first moved to rue du Jardinet No. 12 and a little later to rue du Battoir No. 7. Bibliography: Dekker, Elly, et al. Globes at Greenwich...

Binoculars with case. Decoration complements. Silver metal binoculars with graducation nuts and clean and elegant lines. Inspired by classic models. Weight: 945 gr." Size: 9 x 15...

Celestial table globe Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1791 It measures: 17.13 in in height, Ø max 27.7 in; the sphere Ø 7.09 in (h 43.5 cm x Ø max 27.7 cm; the sphere Ø 18 cm). W...

Interesting vintage plaster anatomical skull model. This great plaster skull bust model is in very good condition and dates to the 1940s. Perfect in an ...

Naval range finder made by Waymouth-Cooke of London. These were based on the principals of a sextant range finder. They were patented in 1914. The Mark II like this one came out in 1...

This is a pair of antique Customs & Excise measures. An English, etched glass governmental beaker set, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. A rare and intriguing example of ...

A rare 20th Century set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned...

This is a vintage stereoscope bar parallax. An English, brass scientific instrument for measuring depth in aerial photographs or maps, by JM Glauser & Sons of London, dating to the m...

Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique French Country Primitive Carved Marble Mortar and Pestle on Solid Wood Primit...

Considered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...

A 20th Century Copernican Armillary Sphere crafted in polished steel and brass. This instrument illustrates the celestial motion of the solar system, with origins tracing back to anc...

Antique early-20th Century English solid silver magnifying glass, of large size, with plain silver mounts and a smooth handle. An ideal desk accessory or for the household, perfect f...

Anatomical model of the bone system, circa 1950. On a square base and held upright with a metal rod stands the skeleton, an anatomical model of human ...

Fine 18th-century solid brass sector, signed Butterfield, Paris, dating from circa 1720–1750. A rare and fully authentic scientific instrument from the renowned Butterfield workshop,...

Telescope with tripod. gold metallic antique finish Decorative use, not functional. Gilt metal telescope decorated with a dark band standing on...

A large and impressive 19th century French brass library telescope marked A. Bardou, Paris. (Denis Albert Bardou; 1841 - 1893) The telescope mounted on a brass and cast iron tripod ...

A rare set of Japanese naval bridge “big eye“ binoculars by Nikon manufactured during WWII by Tokyo Kogaku Kikai (Tokyo Optical Company). They have been expertly cleaned and hand pol...

Rare and fascinating educational mechanical model dating from the 19th century, made of bronze and mounted on a fine wood base. This type of object was used for educational purposes,...

An impressive set of highly polished Cold War-era anti-aircraft binoculars from the former USSR, crafted in the 20th Century. Accompanied by a sleek and adjustable metal tripod, thes...

Circa 1920s Torsion Balance Co, New York "Class A" Scale. Glass nickel plate metal case. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, which has an identica...

"Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880" Description: Antique Surveying Circumferentor by Brand Frères Brand Frères, Optic...

An invaluable addition to the 19th century home, this domestic medicine chest contained nearly everything needed to nurse a member of the house...

Antique steel and brass quadrant, first half of the 20th century, made in London for the U.S. Navy, in very good condition with lenses, shades and scale. The essential mariner's navi...

Antique bronze mortar. Handmade with pestle. Original patina Mortar from pharmacy or herbalist. Italian bronze mortar and pestle Measure: Pe...

Binoculars with an antique finish. Gold-plated metal, other. These metal binoculars, crafted with an antique gold finish, feature a hanging loop and a vintage look reminiscent of c...

This fine example of a World War II military spotting telescope is the type issued to a British army sniper, who would have used it to locate an enemy sniper in a hidden position. T...

Mortar with pestle. Bronze. 16th century. A mortar with a circular base, cylindrical body, and outward-curving mouth decorated with simple geometric ribs alternating with relief el...

O/2941 , vintage French telescopes with its case: for Your holidays ! Small and convenient to carry . Signed ISELI, Paris.

Antique Teaching Aid - Median Incision of the Human Head by PHYWE A great antique hand-painted and hand lettered anatomical model. A median incision of the head for class. It is mad...

Antique 19th Century American solid silver "Draughtsman's tool" 12 inch ruler. What is rather special about this piece is it is approx 4.5 inches long and extends out. Marked on the ...

Antique 20th Century English solid silver and guilloché enamel magnifying glass. The lens is set within a plain silver rim, complemented by a finely engine-turned silver handle, fini...

Vintage Sun Lite II Speed Flash and Portable Battery Pack in Brown Leather Case. Listing includes all the accessories in the photos. The brown leather case alone is very nice. Circa ...

It has a cover to protect the lens made of the same gold metal in which the rest of the instrument is made. The lines, pure and clean, are the protagonists, and make it a great opti...

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage French anatomical medical teaching aid of a lung with a plaque reading Anatomie Humaine, Poumons & Coeur made by Deyrolle Paris. A very good looking and well made piece, hand made in France, there are two descriptive plaques, they read as below, this piece was made by Deyrolle Paris, they are a taxidermy store that has been in the same location since 1831, the brass mount is signed Deyrolle Paris Plaque 1 ANATOMIE HUMAINE POUMONS & COEUR Les Fils D’Emile Deyrolle 46 Rue Du Bac Paris Plaque 2...

Antique 19th Century life-sized plaster model of a human leg, attributed to Bock Steger, Leipzig. Made for medical instruction, it displays muscle, tendon, and bone in detail. Number...