Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

South Australia – Marine Bryozoan – Antique Microscope Slide – Ernest Hinton – 150 Years Old

Ernest Hinton worked as a professional microscope slide preparer from 1864 to the end of the 19th Century. His mounts are identifiable by his standard slide labels and small distinctive and very neat handwriting. See example in authority Bracegirdle Plate 21 and page 52. This slide we believe circa 1875.

Hinton became a member of The Quekett Microscopical Club in 1872 [as an aside if you want to know more about the Q.M.C. contact Voyager Bill]. He spent his first 20 years working for Edmund Wheeler, some think he produced all of Wheeler’s slides from 1870. He worked in his own name from Holloway, London. His slides are considered to be of the highest quality.

Here we have an interesting Australian subject a marine lacy bryozoan from the waters off South Australia where they particularly occur. They are actually colonies of small marine animals [or zoids] fused together. Millions can form a colony, and South Australia has over 500 species.

Fine Australian specimen from top London maker circa 150 years old

$70.00

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Sikes’ Hydrometer Made by James J. Hicks, London for Mauri Bros and Thomson, Sydney

A lovely classic Sikes’ Hydrometer in a very good case with original bone plate engraved “Sikes’ Hydrometer made by J. Hicks, London for Mauri Bros & Thomson Ltd, Sydney”.

The hydrometer float and all the weights carrying the same identification number – the float is engraved Sikes. Note all the weights are there including the elusive “top weight”.

The thermometer is intact, working and in good condition. It is engraved the same as the case plate [but with the extra “J”].

The plush lined box is as original no damage. Everything is in super condition.

There are similar examples in the Powerhouse Museum.

James Joseph Hicks (1837-1916) first traded at 8 Hatton Gardens in the 1870’s. He expanded into adjoining premises in the 1890’s. Hicks had been apprenticed to L.P. Casella, fine instrument makers, [See our delightful Louis Casella boxed Compass] also in the Hatton Garden district, in 1852.

By 1860, Hicks had risen to foreman and from that date several patents are registered in his name. Once in business under his own name, he developed and manufactured numerous instrument types particularly in meteorology and industrial control instruments, such as the Sikes instrument.

Hicks died in 1911 and the business was taken over by Stanley who continued to use Hicks’ name until 1916. So, we can predate the manufacture of this item to before that year.

Joaquim and Jose Mauri started their business in Sydney in 1872. By the 1995 they had expanded considerably and they merged with Thomson to form Mauri Brothers & Thomson, late incorporated in 1905. The company continued to be involved in mergers, takeovers and takeouts over the rest of the 20thC and is now operating as Mauri and very good at what they do.

Fine and complete Sikes’ Hydrometer

Quality maker and special Sydney Customer – super and complete example.

$320.00

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Special Polar References – Bonhams Polar Sale[s] Catalogue[s] of 2012

Over the years Christies and Bonhams have fought it out as to who could gather and catalogue the best of the best books, maps, objects of interest, letters, logs etc relating to the Polar exploits of the Golden Age of Exploration.

Our view, and many others, is that the Bonhams “Scott & Amundsen Centenary Sale” of March 2012 was the winner. This was followed by Polar II in December of that year.

They are superb references in their own right and should be part of any Polar Collection.

Both perfect bound and in super condition – catalogue I, 188 pages near a thousand of illustrations; catalogue II 78 pages many illustrations. Bonhams went to town with the production and photography.

Hard to pick our favourite item … an absolute smorgasbord.

Bonhams Polar Reference – Impossible to match – rare to get them tog

$140.00

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Antique Brass Drum Microscope circa 1890 with three objectives

A very nice cased English drum or field microscope.

Original mahogany case with some fittings, original claw hooks to fasten, nicely polished patina. A very good example of the superior casing.

Microscope in good condition with its original lacquer.

Microscope has its original eyepiece and three separate brass screw in objectives. Draw tube focus, works well nice clean images for its age. Height about 20 cm when drawn to focus.

Tweezers original to the kit and have their special place in the case.

Example slides will be improved upon on sale.

Nice field microscope well over 130 years old and still working!

$260.00

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Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

A superb quality late Victorian brass Direct Vision Spectroscope, of the “Rainband” variety.

The device includes a “train” of five alternating crown and flint glass prisms.

Made by Adam Hilger and his brother Otto who operated from Tottenham Court Road London from 1875 until 1916 when the business was taken over with the backing of Vickers.

Nicely engraved A Hilger London and in near fine condition protected in its original custom made brass canister.

Interestingly, Adam Hilger supplied one of the most advanced spectroscopes of the day to the Sydney Astronomical Observatory in 1878 to be used in conjunction with their Merz 7 ¼ inch refractor.

Neat Victorian Spectroscope top maker clear and true spectrum

$240.00

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Prepared Microscope Slide – Whole Worker Bee – 100 Year Old

I fine example by H.W.H. Darlaston.

Herbert William Hutton Darlaston (1867-1949) operated as a commercial microscope slide mounter from his house in Birchfield, Birmingham, England from 1895 until the 1925.

Regarded as a specialist in insect slides of high quality. He is known to have prepared whole insect slides for the distinguished entomologist Miriam Rothschild.

Postage likely to be reduced on final billing dependent on buyer location.

Worker Bee – fine example by insect expert Darlaston

$80.00

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South Australia – Marine Bryozoan – Antique Microscope Slide – Ernest Hinton – 150 Years Old

Sikes’ Hydrometer Made by James J. Hicks, London for Mauri Bros and Thomson, Sydney

Special Polar References – Bonhams Polar Sale[s] Catalogue[s] of 2012

Antique Brass Drum Microscope circa 1890 with three objectives

Victorian Spectroscope – Adam Hilger c1890

Prepared Microscope Slide – Whole Worker Bee – 100 Year Old

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