Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

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

$60.00

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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

$120.00

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The Maps and Prints of Paolo Forlani – Woodward – A Newberry Library Production 1990

A special item, a descriptive bibliography of the maps and prints of 16th Century Venetian, Paolo Forlani.

Published as Occasional Publication No 4 of the Hermon Dunlap Smith Center for the History of Geography – The Newberry Library, Chicago 1990.

Small quarto scale, perfect bound, 60 pages, clay coloured soft covers. Very good condition.

The compiler, David Woodward a legendary American cartographic expert.

The work starts with careful explanations in the Preface and Acknowledgements, then a list of Abbreviations and Explanations before a list of the Illustrations. Followed by 21 full page plates of examples .. some very special, given the unique nature of the items and, their lack of general publication … the globe just beautiful.

Followed by a full bibliographic description of the known works. Rounded off with a section of references, index of persons identified and connected, and a geographical index for those geographically challenged.

Special work on Paolo Forlani, one of the premier and most decorative 16thC cartographers

$30.00

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Les Volcans et les Tremblements de Terre – Arnold Boscowitz – First Edition 1866

First edition published by Paul Ducrocq, Paris in 1866.

Royal octavo (266mm x 175mm), 602 pages with 16 striking lithographs by Eugene Ciceri, toned with fiery highlights, and a further 40 wood engravings in the text. Publishers original red morocco backed pebble grain cloth covered boards with bevelled design. Spin gilt in compartments, raised bands, all page edges richly gilt, textured end papers. Some obvious marks to boards and closed crack on spine some patchy internal foxing, overall a good copy of a desirable book. Heavy book (1.6kg), may require an overseas postage supplement.

Volcanologist / seismologist Boscovitz produced what is an important 19th Century survey of volcanoes and earthquakes. The impressive vies include … Vesuvius, Orizaba, Mount Etna, Cotopaxi, Kilauea Fire Lake, Stromboli, Popocatepetl, El Jorullo, geysers in Iceland, Hot Springs in New Zealand etc.

Mid 19thC Volcano and Earthquake Classic with Striking Images.

$240.00

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Lectures on The Blood and on The Changes which It Undergoes During Disease – Magendie

First published in English by Haswell, New Orleans in 1839. This edition for the Classics of Medicine Library published by Gryphon in 1996.

Large octavo, 276 pages, printed by Quebecor Kingsport from film of the original courtesy of the Library of the College of Physicians, Philadelphia. Paper specially made for this edition by Glatfelter. Bound in full leather by the printers. Deluxe endpapers specially commissioned from Richard J Wolfe. All edges gilt, cover design in gilt by Daniel Bianchi and Selma Ordewer

Francois Magendie (1783-1855) was a physiologist and a forerunner of experimental physiology. He conducted dissections on live animals for which he was criticised by many, including later Darwin and Huxley.

Magendie unorthodox but effective experimental physiologist – his thinking and lectures on blood disorders before their time.

$60.00

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Argonauts of the Western Pacific – Bronislaw Malinowski. Professor Brian J. Egloff’s copy.

An account of Native Enterprise and Adventures in the Archipelagos of Melanesian New Guinea.

A 1960’s edition of Malinowski’s other landmark book published by Routledge, London. Octavo, 527 pages with 5 maps and 65 illustrations from original photographs. Original blue cloth covered boards, gilt titles, some insignificant rubbing, no dust jacket, still a very good copy.

A richly illustrated account of the ceremonial exchange of manufactured shell valuables linking the Trobriand Islands with other island groups in Eastern New Guinea. Malinowski follows a canoe voyage around the Kula ring of islands.

Following and introduction about subject, method and scope which is regarded as some of the most influential pages in the field of social anthropology .. Malinowski explores the country and inhabitants of Kula; the Natives of the Trobriand Islands; Canoes and sailing; Ceremonial Buildings at Waga; Ceremonial Visiting; an Overseas Expedition; the Fleet at Muwa; Sailing to Pilolu; a Shipwreck; in the Amphlets – the Sociology of the Kula; Tewara and Sanaroa- mythology; the beach at Sarubwoyna; the journey Home; the return visit of the Dobuans to Sinaketa; Magic and Kula; the Power of Words in Magic; Expeditions to Kiriwinan d Kitava …. The meaning of Kula.

Brian John Egloff an American born anthropologist spent time in New Guinea, holding senior position in the then newly established National Museum. Later in Australia he rose to be Associate Professor of Cultural Heritage Management at the University of Canberra

Malinowski a pioneer in the field of social anthropology and perhaps not yet eclipsed and, the most interesting of subjects.

$60.00

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Antique Microscope Slide – Human Fleas – E Bryan c1900

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

The Maps and Prints of Paolo Forlani – Woodward – A Newberry Library Production 1990

Les Volcans et les Tremblements de Terre – Arnold Boscowitz – First Edition 1866

Lectures on The Blood and on The Changes which It Undergoes During Disease – Magendie

Argonauts of the Western Pacific – Bronislaw Malinowski. Professor Brian J. Egloff’s copy.

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