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Lot 30
Magic & Conjuring.- Hardy (F.) Ventriloquism Made Easy, ?first edition, 32pp., 4pp. advertisements at end, original printed orange boards, slightly rubbed, F.Pitman, [c.1865] § Endless Amusement...the Art of making Fire-Works, Diverting Experiments with the Magic Lantern and Camera Obscura...Tricks and Changes of the Cards..., ?lacking frontispiece, light foxing, ink inscription on front pastedown, original printed boards, rubbed and marked, rebacked in cloth, Thorp & Burch, [1832 or later], 12mo (2)
Lot 485
A Chinese bronze hanging lantern, first half 20th century, the spherical openwork body forming swirling clouds around inner candle chamber, character mark design to hinged door with spinning latch, topped by flattened bell form with cloud finials around its circumference, with later bronze cap and chain, 10½in. (27cm.) main lantern height. (2)
Lot 77
A Berlin KPM porcelain figure group of a boy helping two girls in front of a magic lantern show, 19th century, printed and blue marks to base, 18cm high, together with a Meissen style porcelain figure group of a piper standing on a column with other figures below playing instruments, on a natural rocky base, bearing marks for Meissen Marcolini period, 27cm high (2) first group has a firing crack to base, losses to hat, rubbing to glaze,other group has potential losses to instruments and repairs
Lot 373
A set of 82 boxed magic lantern photographic slides taken by the revered Alpine & Himalayan mountaineer, author, photographer and botanist Frank S. Smythe, documenting the successful British Himalayan expedition to climb mount Kamet in 1931. (At 7,756 metres (25,446 feet) Kamet was the highest summit ever climbed at that time).The team consisted of Smythe, Eric Shipton (who went on to lead several Everest expeditions), Wing-Commander Eric Bentley Beauman, an experienced alpine climber and skier, Capt. Bill Birnie, a future member of the 1933 Everest expedition, R. L. Holdsworth and the team physician Raymond Greene (brother of novelist Graham) who was the chief medical officer for the 1933 Everest expedition. The expedition was assisted by 10 Sherpas, many of whom had already gathered considerable experience on Everest and Kangchenjunga: Lewa (sirdar), Achung (cook), Nima Tendrup, Nima Dorje, Nima, Ondi, Passang, Ang Nerbu, Nerbu and Dorje. After two failed British attempts at Everest and the loss of Mallory and Irvine on the second expedition in 1924, pressure was building within the British climbing establishment. Scaling the tallest mountain in the world had become a national obsession. It was the 'Space Race' of its day. At this time the Germans were concentrating their efforts on summiting Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world, had they succeeded, it would have been a bloody nose for the British. When news broke at home that the Kamet expedition was a success, it was rejoiced in the British press. Smythe, Shipton et al, were the celebrity heroes of their era. Although Kamet at 7,756m is perhaps not considered in the same league today, in 1931 as the highest peak ever climbed, conquering it was a hugely exciting result. Importantly, the experience gained on this expedition proved invaluable for future Everest expeditions. Smythe, Shipton, Greene and Birnie were all members of future Everest attempts. In 1935 when Shipton led an Everest reconnaissance expedition, it was he who gave an inexperienced 19-year old Sherpa his first job, (chosen mainly because of his beaming smile) that Sherpa was Tenzing Norgay.This set of slides details every stage of the expedition. There are many glorious shots of the Himalayan scenery, unguarded moments between expedition members, wonderful posed images of the Sherpas, the villagers they encountered en route to Kamet and of course the mountain itself. The period from the 1920s to when Everest was finally climbed in 1953, was a unique period in mountaineering history. With basic equipment and limited understanding of the effects of high altitude on the human body, the men endured tremendous hardship in order to achieve their goals. This is a remarkable set of images from that golden age of mountaineering.Frank Smythe's account of approaching & reaching the summit: "At this point Nima Dorje collapsed. He had bravely done his best, carrying a load of over 20 lbs. of photographic and cinematographic apparatus. After a rest he was able to return alone in safety. I suggested abandoning the apparatus, but Lewa insisted on carrying it.The ascent of 300 ft. from the rock to the summit ridge will remain in the memory of all of us as the most exacting and exhausting piece of climbing any of us have ever endured. The slope was very steep, consisting of loose snow and skavala overlying hard, icy snow. Steps had to be made, since the penalty of a slip was the great eastern precipice. I remember that towards the top I drove my ice-axe in before me, with. both hands hauling myself up on it while kicking steps withfeeble viciousness. We were in a cold shadow, but a few yards above the declining sun illuminated a small flake of ice on the summit ridge with a calm gleam. We were drawing on our reserves of energy. Faculties were numbed, action automatic. " "Heaving ourselves to our feet, we started along the ridge. The snow was firm and, planting our feet well into it, we advanced without difficulty. We gained the point and gazed over and beyond. Only a gentle dip and an easy ridge separated us from the summit. We gasped along, but all sense of weariness had vanished. A few yards from the top we halted, telling Lewa to go ahead. It was the least compliment we could pay to those splendid fellows, our porters, to whom we owed so much.At 4.30 P.M. we stood on the summit. It is difficult to render any account of the view. We were too far above the world. One's eye passed almost contemptuously over mighty range upon mighty range to seek repose in the violet shades of illimitable horizons. Even the turreted thunder clouds, sun-crested above, purple below, could not attain to our level. The breeze fanning us was deathly cold ; the silence and sense of isolation almost terrible. There were no green valleys. All about us were peaks of black rock and glaring ice or snow."Raymond Greene trivia: In 1953 when Everest was finally climbed, it was Greene who made the announcement on the BBC. He coined the phrase "pre-menstrual tension " and his research into the subject was apparently used in a criminal case by counsel defending a woman accused of murder.
Lot 374
17 x positive glass plate magic lantern slides by Tempest Anderson, (1846-1913) the eminent ophthalmologist, volcanologist and photographer. Black bordered plates, with white labels, annotated by hand in black ink. Three smaller square plates sized 8.2x8.2cm, annotation now illegible. The remaining fourteen plates (8.2 x10cm) have clearly written descriptions, all initialled 'T A' in Tempest Anderson's hand and dated 1896.Subjects: These images were taken in the Alpine areas of France and Italy. They depict aspects of the Mer de Glace, glacier tables, crevasses etc in Chamonix, Mont Mallet and Mont de Saxe. The subjects and annotations reflect several of Anderson's passions; geology, the Alps and photography. Anderson was at the forefront of technological advances in photography, he made his own equipment and even invented a panoramic camera with revolving lens, which was later independently produced by Kodak, so it is interesting to see him note which lenses he used on some of these plates. Typical annotations include: 'Lateral moraine near mauvais pas' 'Bergschrund Col du Géant. Telephoto lens' & 'Bergschrund at foot of La Vierge above Géant icefall, horizontal stratification. Vertical veining'.
Lot 375
A set of 83 numbered magic lantern photographic slides documenting Sir Norman Watson's pioneering expedition to cross the Coastal Range, exploring the Mount Waddington area of British Columbia in 1934. These images were taken by the accomplished Alpine & Himalayan mountaineer and skier Eric Bentley Beauman who was a member of the successful expedition to climb Mount Kamet in 1931 (see lot 373). These slides probably would have accompanied his address given about the expedition to the Alpine Club on 30th October 1934. On slide 62 'Kamet Expedition' can be clearly read on the side of a tent. The crossing was completed by way of the Homathko Valley and river, Lake Twist, Scimitar valley, Scimitar canyon, the 2600m Col Fury Gap and the Franklin glacier down to Knight Inlet. Other members of the party were: Sir Norman Watson, Major E.J.King M.C, Clifford White (Canadian skier & mountaineer), Camille Couttet (Chamonix guide) Pete McCormick, trapper and Yukon 'old-timer'. At this time, the Coastal Range of British Columbia was wild and virtually undiscovered country. Those who knew the region advised the party not to go. Watson and King wrote a book about their experience "Round Mystery Mountain"A contemporary Canadian newspaper article best details the trip:KNIGHT INLET, B.C. April 21, 1934Three intrepid skiers of a British Alpine party arrived here Friday to complete the hazardous crossing of the Coast Range after five weeks of thrilling adventure.Sir Norman Watson, leader of the expedition; Wing Commander E B Beauman, RAF president of the Alpine Club of England; and Camille Coutet, famous Chamonix guide, picked a treacherous route through a nest of giant peaks and ice glaciers and emerged without accident. Accompanied by Major E J King M.C. of London and Clifford White of Banff, Alta; well known Canadian Mountaineer, the party left Tatla Lake, B.C, March 18 to pierce the wilderness. Their supplies were carried by a pack train of 21 horses, handled by four packers.They established a base camp near Fury Gap at the base of the mighty Mount Waddington, 13,260 feet, about 80 miles west of Tatla Lake. Major King and White remained at the base camp in reserve. The packers returned to Tatla Lake and the three daring skiers penetrated one of the wildest mountain regions of North America. Watson and his two companions struggled against severe weather as they negotiated dangerous Fury Gap. They were delayed several days by driving blizzards and were forced to make camp in the half-shelter of snow laden rock ridges. Finally, as the weather moderated, they made their way to the crest of the pass, approximately 7,200 feet. Below them stretched myriads of glaciers dotting the slopes of Mount Waddington, once known as Mystery Mountain because the existence of such a giant peak in the British Columbia was doubted by all but the few who had entered the wild and beautiful district.The men made their way 25 miles down mighty Franklin glacier on skis. Though they encountered better weather on this part of the journey, they needed all their experience to avoid yawning crevasses and ever threatening avalanches.They neared sea level in safety and made their way to Knight Inlet, which winds about 170 miles north of Vancouver. The trip of more than 25 miles to this small settlement was comparatively easy.Sir Norman and his companions planned to fly south by seaplane to Vancouver today. They intended to get in touch as soon as possible with Major King and White at the Fury Gap base camp, notify them of the successful crossing and arrange for their return to civilization. " In the 1930s there still existed areas of largely undiscovered wilderness. British Columbia provided those intrepid enough, a taste of what the early explorers must have experienced. These slides show all stages of the expedition, the men, their basic equipment, the pack horses and wonderful mountain scenery. This is a unique set of images detailing an extraordinary expedition undertaken by some of the most revered mountaineers of their era.(See illustration)
Lot 376
A collection of 12 magic lantern slides produced by Newton & Co depicting various stages of the construction of the Panama Canal. Each slide 7.5 x 7.5cm, with a label: "Sold by Newton & Co, Ltd. 43 Museum St, LONDON. W.C.1". The black mount of each slide numbered and annotated by hand in white ink. Not a consecutive group, lowest number: 8, highest: 50.The slides show various stages of construction, the earliest image being a slide numbered 29 and annotated: "Excavating machinery used by the French" Further research describes it thus: "Universal Interoceanic Canal Company at the foot of the Gold Hill in the Culebra Cut 1896. Inadequate machinery, such as the tiny dump cars and the Small Belgian Locomotive Shown here contributed to the failure of the French in the valiant effort to link the Atlantic and the Pacific. This photo of an old bucket excavator at work in Culebra Cut at the foot of Gold Hill was made in 1896."Note: This image is used in the book "Panama, Past and present" by Farnham Bishop, 1913.Excellent detailed images, subjects include: The track shifter, an electric towing locomotive, the canal flooded and a submerged steam shovel, 'near view of the great lock gates' (a very impressive image of the Gatun lock gates prior to flooding). Also two slides annotated 'First use of the Gatun locks, water rising'. These will have been taken on the 26th September 1913.Two slides with cracks.Newton & Co released two or three Panama Canal slide and lecture collections, one with 168 slides, we are unable to determine which these images come from. One is described in a Newton & Co catalogue: The Story of the Panama Canal, from its conception to its completion as one of the wonders of the world. A fine series of 54 pictures showing the difficulties met with in construction and how they were overcome. A marvellous engineering feat. With printed Lecture. 5s 6d.
Lot 2043A
Rare mid 17th century English brass lantern clock the front fret signed William Selwood at ye Marmaid in Louhbury fecit,. The brass dial with with an engraved centre and silvered chapter ring. 42 cm high overallWilliam Selwood, was a renowned clockmaker, who was born in Abingdon in Berkshire in 1607, and is recorded as a Free Brother in the Clockmakers' Company in 1633 until his death in 1653. He trained under Henry Stevens from 1624 to 1632, and worked at the Mermaid in Lothbury till his death in 1653. His former pupil, Thomas Loomes, succeeded him. Provenance; includes letters which are being sold with the lot in relation to restoration and various original parts which have been replaced but retained. It has been in one families ownership for over 40 years..
Lot 1342
A large cut glass hanging lantern, with metal mounts signed Clive Christian. Diameter 42 cm, height +/- 90 cm (see illustration). CONDITION REPORT: The lantern is in extremely good condition. The glass is not cracked or damaged and the metalwork is all present and in very good order. The centre internal light fitting is all present as is the wiring.
Lot 839
A set of four Venetian glass lantern style walls lights, early 20th century, each surmounted with a brass flag, the honeycomb moulded base and cover with applied prunts and all supported on an S scroll branch. Height 64 cm. CONDITION REPORT: In principle the majority of the parts are there, some of the hanging fruits on each are loose but still with the item. Three of the lamps, each have a leaf missing from one prunt to the base of the lamp. One lamp has two prunts at the top section, each missing a leaf, one lamp the prunts appears to be complete, the further lamp has a single leaf missing from a prunt, another appears to be complete. With this lot there are two spare leaves, each with a metal cap although it is unsure as to where these belong, but the colour of the glass is the similar. Each has splashes of paint which can be removed. They do need to be constructed and affixed together, currently they are in sections. There are two jug mounts that come with these items, each mount has two apertures in which to affix the scroll branches. They have been converted to electricity.
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41680 item(s)/page