Scientific Instruments, Specimens, Books and Collectables

Fuller’s Spiral Slide Rule [Calculator] – Manufacturer W.F. Stanley, London

Invented by George Fuller, Professor of Engineering at Queens’s College Belfast, patented in 1878.

The rule consists of a logarithmic scale of numbers spiral wound in the form of a helix; the scale is 500 inches [circa 42 feet] in length having 7,250 divisions. This rule is therefore equivalent to a straight slide rule twice that length or c 84 feet. If you understand the principle – it’s the [lack of] length of a slide rule that inhibits accuracy. It can be held in one hand while performing calculations or fixed on the removable brass holder if more convenient. The mahogany box is true to the instrument and has felt covered fittings to protect it in transit. The original instruction booklet is still with the instrument.

The manufacturer was W.H. Stanley at one time the biggest instrument maker in the World. Stanley a Fellow of all the right Societies was an architect and had near 100 patents to his name.

This instrument is one of the last manufactured, which probably accounts for its pristine condition. We can date it to 1965 for two reasons. First, all instruments were numbered at the bottom of the B cursor, and this one is serial number 13111 and below that stamped 65 for 1965. Secondly, there is a magnificent paper published by the esteemed Oughtred Society [Look it up] which gives excellent background information on the instrument and provides a graph of the serial numbers and dates of a good sample from No 1 in 1884 to number 13688 in 1973 – so you can see that ours is placed right in the twilight zone.

We find it interesting that only 14,000 instruments were ever made over a period of 90 years. After a slowish start and an end tail-off the graph of units made is pretty steady with a bit of a jolt during WWI and WWII. Your guess is right it was killed pretty dead by Hewlett Packard.

We haven’t gone into full details of how the instrument is constructed and functions, but we do have information in our Research Section, and you can always look up the aforementioned “Oughtred” reference – best information going – forget Wiki.

In terms of size the box is 46 cm x 12 cm x 11 cm. The rule is 43 cm long 9 cm in diameter.. Total weight around 2 kgs.

A postage supplement may be required dependent on location of buyer.

Fullers system of spiral slide rule – top of the pile and an instrument of some beauty

$690.00

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Antique Brass Table Spectroscope by John Browning of London circa 1880

An original prismatic lacquered brass spectroscope by the leading London based Victorian maker John Browning. Special quality as would be expected from a Browning instrument. Original fitted Mahogany Case with carrying handle, which has lost its lock as often, no damage to the case.

The table is engraved and Vernier works as it should. Telescope and collimator. The adjustable slit is in perfect condition and has its cover or protector which is usually missing. The optics are in A1 condition. The telescope arm is fully articulated and can be locked into position. The flint glass prism looks original to the instrument and has its original oxidised table housing. The telescope length is 20cms fully in 30cm fully extended. The instrument stands 25cms high.

Quality Victorian Spectroscope Top Maker

$790.00

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Folding Georgian Guinea Scales circa 1805

A very good set of early Guinea Scales with contemporary instructions label. Manufactured Stephen Houghton who took over from Anthony Wilkinson at Ormskirk, Lancashire. Wilkinson had died in 1804. We have two very good examples this probably the best.

Self-erecting and known generally as the Lancashire Gold Balance. The brass beam is rectangular in section and has a hinged “turn and swing” overweight which counter poises the beam for the guinea or half-guinea. Once folded the end-button release mechanism sets and releases nicely.

A small rectangular sliding weight on the load arm registers in graduations to show discrepancies in of under-weight coins.

The collapsing mechanism makes the whole entirely portal in the gentleman’s trouser.

Functioning Georgian Gold Sovereign Scale

$190.00

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Buffon’s Natural History – 180 Hand Coloured Plates 31[of 32 volumes] – Paris 1827

Oeuvres Completes de Buffon – Mises en order er Precedees d’une Notice Historique Par M.A. Richard Professor Agrege a la Faculte de Medecine de Paris; Suives de Deux Volumes sur les Progress des Sciences Physiques er Naturelles Depuis la mort de Buffon par M. le Baron Cuvier Secretaire Perpetuel de l’Academie Royale des Sciences.

Published by Chez Baudouin Freres and Chez N Delangle Paris in 1827. A full set less volume 8 which is purely narrative – all of the 180 magnificent hand coloured plates are present.

Lavishly bound in full polished tree calf with wide gilt floral design around front and back boards, gilt rolled on board edging, gilt design to spine, with each volume carrying separate black leather title and volume labels themselves gilt styles, marbled endpapers.

Some scuffing and wear to the leather boards and internally occasional foxing and browning and offsetting. On the whole, a handsome set with superior shelf presence – see images – more can be supplied in request – no issue.

Buffon with every hand coloured plate present

$1,590.00

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The Origin of Species – Charles Darwin – Murray of London Edition 1894

Published by John Murray, London, 1894. Sixth edition. Charles Darwin amended each edition – the sixth represents the final text..

In the preferred original Murray green cloth binding and in very good condition. Octavo, xxii,432 pages a tiny bit rubbed and marked, light age – still a very good copy.

Described by Bern Dibner as “the most important single work in science”.

Darwin’s theory of the origin of species by means of natural selection arose out of his studies in the 1830′s during the voyage of the Beagle. In 1856 geologist Charles Lyell, urged him to write a book on the subject. In 1858 Wallace sent Darwin a summary of the views Darwin had formed twenty years earlier. Darwin set about writing “The Origin of Species” which was published in Nov 1859.

Darwin concluded, “There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this plan has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.”

Darwin – The Origin of Species - The greatest scientific book ever written

$790.00

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The Proposed Chemical Laboratory at the University of Sydney -1888 – A Liversidge – Professor of Chemistry

An understandably scarce document and an unusual one – one that appeals very much to Voyager. Sydney University has been without an adequate science laboratory for many years. Liversidge has risen to be Professor of Chemistry and with a strong hand in geology, metallurgical sciences etc.

This extensive paper was presented before the first meeting of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science, Sydney August 28^th 1888.

Large sized [foolscap plus?] 4 pages of narrative -equivalent of 4 times that against usual and then twelve plates on 5 pages of various designs highlighting the practicalities required in a modern science laboratory. Bound in stout half red morrocco over morrocco? covered boards – later paper title, end papers darkened – whole supported by bound in blanks at rear [the sign of a top binder] – paper support on internal hinge. Very good condition. Stamp of the Royal Society of N.S.W. who strangely disposed such items – shame on them.

Tours had been taken of European and Japanese then modern equivalents and similar standards were to be achieved albeit for budgetary purposes some of the architectural materials had to be more restrained. Having said this the alcoves of the corridor were to have the busts of great European scientists installed. We particularly like the incorporation of the furnaces for metallurgy and the massive outside hydrogen sulphide generator and that quick egress in the event of explosion was thoughtful.

The Sydney University first proper science laboratory – we find it intriguing

$125.00

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Fuller’s Spiral Slide Rule [Calculator] – Manufacturer W.F. Stanley, London

Antique Brass Table Spectroscope by John Browning of London circa 1880

Folding Georgian Guinea Scales circa 1805

Buffon’s Natural History – 180 Hand Coloured Plates 31[of 32 volumes] – Paris 1827

The Origin of Species – Charles Darwin – Murray of London Edition 1894

The Proposed Chemical Laboratory at the University of Sydney -1888 – A Liversidge – Professor of Chemistry

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