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Lot 2
An Exceptionally Fine Adams' "Variable" Microscope,C.1773, English, signed A & G Adams at No 60 Fleet Street, London,standing on three folding feet two of which fold out from under the front foot bearing the signature, in the centre is a circular boss which holds the large turned architectural brass pillar, at the top is a rotating boss which holds the two ‘A’ frame supports, these hold the centre of the large geared wheel on trunnions, a worm and gear arrangement at the base is used to incline the microscope, at the base of the microscope is the large (7.6cm diameter) concave mirror in a gimbal on articulated arm that can be removed/unscrewed, above this is the support for either the stage or the articulated arm, the large stage is constructed of two sections of brass plate elegantly cut and filed into shape with adjustment via 2 blued steel wing nuts, the centre of the bottom plate holds the Bonnani-type stage in a collar, above the stage is the main course focus via rack work in-between the two sliding rectangular sectioned bars, fine focussing is to the side with an ivory wheel acting on a fine thread cut in the top of a steel rod, at the top is the limb for the compound tube with rack work to move the tube back and forth, the compound tube is located with two threaded knurled screws, the eyepiece has two lenses mounted in a fine threaded cell to allow for focus on to the micrometer needle, below this in a field lens, located in the bottom half of the conical part of the body tube is a Martin lens, The micrometer attachment fits to the eyepiece with a locating peg and screw tightened collar, the micrometer has a steel point which enters the eyepiece via the second part quick motion rack to the underside of the micrometer, the micrometer steel screw has 50 threads per inch, engraved along the top is a scale of 0 – 50 with a pointer running along the top, the circular plate fixed at right angles carries the divisions of each section of the top scale, each revolution equates to 1 20th of a section, the compound body tube can be removed and replaced with the Bonnani-type stage, into the top of the microscope is a circular hole to take the simple microscope arm, its construction allows for aquatic movement and can be used in conjunction with all of the lenses, the outfit comes with silvered leiberkuhn lenses engraved 6, 5, 4, 3 & 2, high power lenses with brass caps engraved 2 & 3, button type objectives engraved 6, 5, 3, 2 and 1, included is a rare collar allowing the objectives to be combined to make compound objectives (Clay and Court believe this to be the first time a microscope manufacturer made the provision for objectives to be used in combination),Footnotes:The Adams Variable Microscope,Adams first describes his ‘Variable’ microscope in 1771 in the fourth edition of his ‘Micrographia Illastrata’. In the preface to the book Adams writes:‘We owe the construction of the variable microscope to the ingenuity and generosity of a noble person. The apparatus belonging to it is more convenient, more certain, and more extensive that that of any extant; consequently, the advantage and pleasure attending the observations in viewing objects through it, must be as extensive in proportion.’Clay and Court in their book ‘History of the microscope’ suggest that the anonymity of the original designer of the microscope was to hide plagiarism in the design as Adams appeared to have copied Watkins microscope design of 1754. The focusing design was very similar to that of Martin and the optical system was almost identical. The anonymity of the nobleman that Adams refers to seems to have been given away by Sir John hill in the first edition of his book ‘The Construction of Timber’ which was published a year prior to Adams’ book in 1770. In Hills book there is a full page illustration of the variable microscope. In the text Hill states that the design of the microscope was due to his Patron and the patron of the book – Sir John Stuart Earl of Bute (1713-92). It was known that Bute had an interest in the sciences and after his death a large collection of scientific equipment was sold at auction.Ann Adams, Ann was George Adams‘ second wife. When George Senior died in 1773 his eldest son George Adams Junior had not completed his apprenticeship. In order to keep the business going Ann formed a partnership with George Junior and they traded under the name Ann & George Adams for two years until George Juniors apprenticeship was complete. He then took control of the company and the name changed to George Adams Jnr. We have been unable to find a single instrument signed by Ann and George Adams.
Lot 204
A Fine Spyglass Etui in Bilston Enamel,attributed to Thomas Ribright, body with four bucolic scenes framed with Rococo decoration, containing fruit knife, tweezers, bodkin, toothpick/ear scoop and ivory slip for notes, by opening the dust slides at either end of etui it becomes a Galilean monocular telescope, length 12.4cm; Notes: This instrument is the subject of an article in the September 2014 edition of the Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society. Thomas Ribright patented the design in 1749. This example in Bilston enamel and gilt brass, can be dated to about 1765 as it is in the early style for Bilston enamel decorative work. Ribright worked from 1735 to 1772. Although this example of Ribright’s work is not signed, the cast decoration of the silver-gilt fruit knife corresponds with the design in Ribright’s patent, confirming the attribution. Full details of the instrument are provided in article referenced below. References: Patents Connected with the Microscope 1666-1800 - Royal Microscopical Society 1895; Thomas Ribright of London: An Exquisite Bilston Enamel Mercury Gilt Ladies Pocket Etui with a Perspective Glass - Stuart Talbot, Scientific Instrument Society Bulletin Sept 2014
Lot 205
Two 18th Century Silver & Shagreen Monoculars,C.1770, English, stamped to the inner drawer tubes on both 'Dollond, London' both with turned stained ivory parts, silver edging to the shagreen.Condition: Monocular No.1 is in good original condition, there is a small chip to the edge of the top rim, monocular No.2 is a composite made up of different parts that all fit. It does focus and all the parts are from a similar period, the front lens is scratched
Lot 222
A Large Roswell Stereo Graphoscope,C.1860, English, signed 'ROSWELL'S PATENT NEGRETTI & ZAMBRA LONDON', body, VG, burr walnut veneered case, with pair of stereo lenses on fold up board, ground glass screen to rear, adjustable hinged base with hinged magnifying lens on brass rods with ivory finials
Lot 224
A Brewster-Pattern Stereoscope,C.1860, English, signed on ivory plaque 'Carpenter & Westley, 24 Regent Street, London', body, VG, burr walnut veneered body with lacquered brass eyepiece lenses, lift up flap with foil reflector to underside, with case for slides impressed on lid 'Carpenter & Westley, 24 Regent Street, London'
Lot 225
A Brewster-Pattern Stereoscope,C.1860, English, signed on an ivory plaque 'Negretti & Zambra, Photos to the Crystal Palace, 59 Cornhill & 11 Hatton Garden London' and on a secondary ivory plaque 'By R. Letters, Patent 385' finished in birdseye maple veneer, brass push/pull focusing eyepieces with fold up/down internal magnifying lenses
Lot 48
Two Cased Minor Surgery Sets,one set by Matthews, 8 Portugal St, London, with 6 ivory handle instruments including three scalpels marked Matthews, forceps marked Matthews, scissors by other makers; second set in velvet lined case with 6 ivory handled by Savigny, plus scissors, forceps, needles etc
Lot 210
AUTOGRAPHS: A fine plain white handheld fan with ivory sticks, plain ivory guards and a brass loop attached to the pivot pin, individually signed by 21 famous men and women, most associated with art and literature, comprising Blanche Lindsay, Dorothy Tennant (signed Dorothy Stanley following her marriage to Henry Morton Stanley), Frances Hodgson Burnett, John Hare, Alfred C. Lyall, Henry Thompson, William E. H. Lecky, Garnet Wolseley FM, Princess Helena, Henry James, Lewis Morris, George H. Boughton, Lawrence Alma-Tadema and his wife Laura Alma-Tadema, Edward Poynter, Arthur Sullivan, Edward Burne-Jones, Bret Harte, E. F. Benson (signed in full, Edward Frederic Benson), Sarah Grand and Annie S. Swan. All have signed with their names alone in dark fountain pen inks, most to individual leaves of the fan. An attractive and unusual presentation. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, about VG
Lot 1004
FINE LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY CHINESE IVORY FANmounted in a presentation frame with inset section for the open fan and with gilt detailing, the outer stick decorated with flowers and birds, each stick finely carved with a design including florals, birds, and architectural features, approx 44cm wide when open, the frame 40cm x 60cm
Lot 123
Early 20th century carved ivory plaque of a young girl, signed with a monogram TE, 3 x 3cmPLEASE NOTE: THIS ITEM CONTAINS OR IS MADE OF IVORY. Buyers must be aware that regulations of several countries, including USA, prohibit the import of ivory, or any goods containing ivory. Ewbank’s advise prospective purchasers who intend to ship this lot to another country that they must familiarise themselves with the relevant import/export regulations prior to bidding. They are responsible for their shipping arrangements and the onus is therefore on them to organise their own shipping..
Lot 941
A Japanese ivory netsuke of a kneeling man late Meiji polishing a symbolic character, signed in sosho, another of a seated carpenter sharpening a saw, signed in sosho on red plaque, a walrus tusk okimono of Jurojin holding a scroll, an ivory okimono of Hotei holding a fan and his sack supported upon a staff over his shoulder and an okimono of two Noh dancers, one with an animal mask
Lot 944
A Japanese ivory okimono carved as a museulam oni pulling a bird late Meiji period shaped two wheeled carriage upon which sits a figure of Benkei who supports a huge peach upon which Benkei's animal companions dressed as samurai contain a group of three oni sheltering within the hollowed fruit, on shaped base carved with symbolic objects of the shichifukujin, signed in Sosho , 12.5cm high
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239691 item(s)/page