Early 1900s Scientific Instruments

Barometro aneroide in ottone, da tavolo e da parete, manifattura francese dei primi del ‘900. Buono stato qualche segno di usura. Misure cm 4,5x8,8 – inches 1.8x3.9. L'ultima foto...

A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a pocket watch. The case is made from brass with minor wea...

A splendid pair of late Victorian Opera / Theatre glasses professionally re-polished to gleam, making them as good as they would have looked over 100 years ago. The glasses are signed by the maker on the frame, a Hexagon mark, I haven't managed to identify the maker to date. This is a pair with a telescopic lorgnette handle. All is wrapped in wonderful Mother of Pearl or Nacre shell...

Barometro aneroide o olosterico in ottone, da tavolo e da parete, manifattura inglese della fine del XIX secolo, Buono stato perfettamente funzionante. Diametro cm 14 – 5.5 in, spes...

Planisphere. Philips' Planisphere showing the Principal Stars, circa 1890 Planisphere. Philips' Planisphere showing the Principal Stars Visible for Every Hour in the Year, circa 1905, is a detailed celestial chart. The chart is printed in blue and white on paper-board, designed to be moveable and is housed within a gilt morocco disc featuring four compass points. The planisphere measures 315 x 315 mm and includes a printed explanation on the verso. There is slight wear visible on the extremities. This vintage astronomical tool was used to help stargazers identify the principal stars in the night sky at any given time of the year. More details: Printed in London by George Philip & Son, 1905, Printed paperboard disk (10” in diameter), within cutaway square paperboard mount (12.25” x 12.25”), gold-stamped on recto, printed on verso. Handwritten note of possibly previous owner. An early example (first versions were printed in circa 1870) of this handsome planisphere produced by the important London cartographic publishing firm George Philip & Son. A portable device designed to aid the student or amateur astronomer in their study of stars and constellations visible in the night sky, many of this elegant planispheres were evidently imported in the US and sold by the Boston School Supply Co. The one here was produced in or for The London Geographical Institute on Fleet Street in London. The inner disk, showing the stars linked by straight lines into labeled constellations, rotates inside a gold-stamped mount. The “Explanation,” printed on blue paper mounted to the verso, instructs: “To find that part of the Heavens visible at any state time, revolve the movable disc till the day of the month, marked upon its edge, corresponds with the time of day or night figured upon the leather disc…In order to see the stars indicated on this Planisphere in their proper relation to the actual Horizon, hold the Planisphere above you, face downwards, so that the title comes on the side away from you. The Pole Star will then be seen at its proper altitude of 51 ½°, with the Eastern and Western Horizons respectively to the right and left.” A list, with prices, of “Philips’ Popular Astronomical & Geographical Aids” is printed below. This is the later version of Philips’ planisphere produced in 1905, with the title stamped in five straight lines below the cutout, rather than, as in the earlier version, in four curving lines above. George Philip & Son was founded in Liverpool in 1834 by George Philip Sr. (1800–1882), after he had spent many years in the employ of William Grapel, a bookseller and printer. Working with cartographers John Bartholomew Sr., William Hughes, and August Petermann, the firm published educational materials...

A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top used to open; just like a pocket watch. The dial is lucky enough to have an Englis...

An unusual English compass which folds into it's own brass case. Marked "England" and dating to c.1900. 2" x 1 3/4" x 1/2". Excellent condition. Item: 44415 FREE Worldwide Regist...

A handsome antique English magnifying glass on stand which pivots on a ball and socket fitting, moving around with ease. Dating to c.1900, it remains i...

A small antique English magnifying glass with a polished brass handle and frame. The glass has a good magnification and remains in undamaged condition. Dating to c.1900, it remains...

This monumental sized horn handled magnifying glass with brass framework and stem, is of heavy weight and fine quality. The horn is quite ...

Altimetro barometrico compensato in ottone completo di lente d’ingrandimento firmato J. Hicks Maker London dei primi del ‘900. Diametro cm 7 – inches 2.8, spessore cm 3,2 – inches 1....

Barometro aneroide da parete in ottone e vetro montato su tavola in legno di rovere tornito, firmato John Barker & Son Ltd Kensington. Si tratta di uno strumento il cui organo sensibile alla pressione è una scatola metallica detta capsula barometrica. Manifattura inglese dei primi del ‘900. Buono stato, funzionante. Diametro tavola cm 28 – inches 11, diametro barometro cm 19 - inches 7.5, spessore cm 10 – inches 4. La capsula si contrae o si dilata in conseguenza dei cambiamenti di pressione e i suoi movimenti sono trasmessi ad una lancetta indicatrice tramite un sistema meccanico. La messa a punto di questo tipo di barometro si deve a Bourdon, inventore e industriale francese (Parigi 1808-1884). Egli fondò a Parigi nel 1835 una fabbrica per la costruzione di macchine a vapore; nel 1849 inventò il manometro metallico, a cui legò il suo nome, e nel 1853 un tipo di barometro aneroide. Note Fin dall’antichità l’uomo, come agricoltore e navigatore, ha osservato e tentato di prevedere l’andamento del clima. Lo studio scientifico dei mutamenti che avvengono nell’atmosfera ebbe inizio alla metà del XVII secolo, in relazione agli esperimenti tendenti a dimostrare l’esistenza del vuoto, che gli antichi filosofi negavano poiché “la natura aborre il vuoto!”. Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647), matematico e fisico, discepolo di Galileo, fu il primo, nel 1643 a costruire uno strumento in grado di rilevare i cambiamenti della pressione dell’aria, che egli comprese essere legati ai mutamenti del tempo atmosferico. Ultima foto confezione regalo. John Barker iniziò la sua carriera lavorando come venditore di tessuti a Folkestone e a Dover. Lavorò quindi per Spencer, Turner & Boldero e successivamente per William Whiteley...