Thomson's (Lord Kelvin) First Tide Predicting Machine, 1876

Geophysics

1876

(Lord Kelvin) William Thomson's first tide-predicting machine, 1876. Built by A. Légé & Co., 20 Cross Street, Hatton Gardens, London.

Silver-plated divination bowl

Ethnography and Folk Medicine

1200-1399; 1801-1900

Engraved tinned-copper magic-medicinal bowl also known as a 'poison cup', hemispherical, Syro-Egyptian, 13th-14th century. Features imagery of twinned serpents, scorpion, dog, Qur'anic verses, magic squares, and text specifying it cures stings and bites from the animals depicted, as well as fever, colic, and difficult birth. Also a spiraling inscription of magic 'nonsense' words, which would put this outside the realm of acceptable Prophetic practice.

Spirit level, North British Railway, Caledonian Railway, and London & South Western Railway

Tools of the Trade & Personal Accessories

Spirit level, North British Railway, Caledonian Railway, London & South Western Railway. Wooden spirit level edged in brass. Silver plate attached, engraved "Dugold Drummond". Overall: 50 mm x 429 mm x 38 mm.

Silver model of Vimy aeroplane

Aeronautics

Silver model of Vickers Vimy aeroplane, presented by the Shell Marketing Department to Jack Alcock's mother.

Working model of the double trunk steam engines, as used on HMS 'Minotaur (1867) and HMS 'Northumberland' (1868)

Marine Engines

1845

Working model, scale 1:12, of twin-cylinder steam driven double trunk screw engines, as extensively used for screw propulsion on the HMS 'Minotaur' and 'Northumberland' (1865-1868), construction patented, and model made by John Penn and Sons in 1845, mounted on ships hull model showing arrangement of engine mounting points made by South Kensington Museum (Workshops), in glass case on table stand (see note). A Trunk Engine was originally developed to reduce engine height while maintaining a long stroke. The long stroke meant that the engine retained greater power while a low profile was curcial for placing the engine as deep in the ship as possible. This depth was ideally below the waterline in the event of enemy action.

Barograph clock by Alexander Cumming

Time Measurement

1766

Barograph clock made by Alexander Cumming (1731 or 1732-1814), London, England, 1766. It consists of a compensated pendulum regulator clock and a mercury barograph mechanism for measuring changes in air pressure, which are recorded on the circular paper chart around the outside of the dial. Two tubes of mercury are concealed in the fluted wooden columns visible inside the glass trunk door. An ivory cistern and a wood and ivory pen cage run in ivory rollers connecting the pressure-measuring mechanism to the recording dial. The clock is housed in an exuberant carved mahogany case believed to be by the esteemed cabinet-maker Thomas Chippendale. Originally used by Cumming himself, the barograph clock was purchased in around 1814 and used by manufacturing chemist and meteorologist, Luke Howard (1772-1864).

Pocket watch, Great Western Railway

Railway Timepieces

Pocket Watch, Great Western Railway, "Lancashire Watch Co Ltd.Prescot. GWR". Roman face. On reverse "GWR 3324". Overall: 75 mm x 20 mm x 53 mm.

Brewster's Patent Kaleidoscope by Philip Carpenter, Birmingham, England,1820

Optics

1815-1825

Kaleidoscope, Brewster's patent, silver plated brass, painted/shellaced tube covering, by Philip Carpenter, Birmingham, England, c.1820 with extra lens for distant objects, and 13 various object plates (one is defective), in wooden (mahogany and/or walnut?) case, velvet lined, with lock and key (see note)

Jabez Hogg photographing Mr Johnson in Richard Beard's studio, c 1843

Photographs

1840-1848

A daguerreotype of Jabez Hogg and Mr Johnson, 1843; Jabez Hogg photographing Mr Johnson in Richard Beard's studio, c 1843. A daguerreotype from 1843 which is thought to be the first photograph showing a photographer at work. The image depicts Jabez Hogg photographing W S Johnson in the studio of Richard Beard.

Daguerreotype of John Avery Stranded In Rapids Above Niagara

Photographs

1853

Cased sixth plate daguerreotype of John Avery stranded in rapids above Niagara Falls, 1853, by Platt D Babbitt. One of several daguerreotypes made by Babbitt of Avery who after being swept from his boat, spent 18 hours clinging to a log jammed between two rocks above the American Falls. Despite several attempts to resuce him, he was eventually swept to his death over the falls by the water which was moving at between 18 and 20 miles per hour. Babbitt had established his photographic business on the American side of the Falls. His camera sat under a pavilion and when a party of visitors gathered on the edge of the cliff to admire the Falls he would take their photograph unawares and then offer it to them for purchase as a souvenir of their trip.

Abbe type Liquid Refractometer, by Carl Zeiss, Jena, German,1876

Optics

1876

Abbe type liquid refractometer for determining the refractive indices and dispersive powers of liquids by Carl Zeiss, Jena in Germany, 1876.

Pocket Bimetallic Thermometer, 1850-1900

Heat

1851-1880

Metallic thermometer by Johann Holtzmann, Vienna, Austria, 1850-1880

Quick boiling kettle

Domestic Appliances

1930s

SIlver-plated fast-boiling kettle, by Thompson, Ritchie & Co. Ltd, London, 1930s.

Automatic solar spectroscope

Optics

1875-1885

Automatic solar spectroscope by John Browning, 63 Strand, London, c. 1880 (B769). Six prism with reflex action giving dispersion equal to 12 prisms.

Artists' aid, viewers (Claude Lorrain mirrors and

Optics

1855-1865

Artists' aid, viewers (Claude Lorrain mirrors and glasses) folding into rectangular ornamented silver-plated brass metal cover, made by Carpenter & Westley, 24 Regent Street, London, England, mid 19th century.

Silver plated ashtray, London & North Western Railway

Passenger Comforts

1890-1914

Ashtray, silver plated brass, London & North Western Railway, by James Beresford and Sons, Birmingham, 1890-1914, marked "LNWR".

Petrological Microscope

Microscopes

1860-1876

Petrological microscope by Voigt and Hochgesang, Göttingen, Germany, 1860-76. Used by Renard whilst working on deep-sea deposits, Challenger expedition, 1872-76.

Durham's tracheotomy tube introducer, silver plate

Surgery

1830-1890

Durham's tracheotomy tube introducer, silver plated brass with ivory handle, English, 1830-1890

Thomson's Portable Electrometer, 1867-1888

Electricity and Magnetism

1867-1888

(Lord Kelvin) Thomson's portable electrometer by J. White, Glasgow, Scotland, 1867-1888.

Variation Compass and magnetometer, 1837-1843

Terrestrial Magnetism

1837-1843

Unifilar variation compass and magnetometer by Henry Barrow & Company, 26 Oxenden Street, London. Used by Sir J. Richardson and on the voyages of Sir John Franklin.

Hanging Mercury Thermometer in Case, 1717-1800

Heat

1717-1800

Hanging thermometer with silvered metal scale inscribed 'P. Feccit Londra'; engraved with Fahrenheit and Reaumur scales, in original box, length 165mm.

Masticator, Paris, France, 1870-1890

Orthopaedics

1870-1890

Masticator, used to chew food for elderly or toothless patients before swallowing, made by A Aubry, Paris 1870-1890

Combined Pocket Watch and Aneroid Barometer, 1895-1905

Surveying

1895-1905

Patent combined pocket watch and aneroid barometer, French, 1895-1905. Marked 'Made in France', intended for English-speaking market.

Folding pocket stereoscope with stereoscopic coloured Daguerreotype

Optics

'Kilburn's' folding pocket stereoscope fitted with colour tinted daguerreotype in passeportout mount (portrait of gentleman in uniform) in wooden leather covered fittedcase, by Kilburn, 234 Regent St., London, 1853-1859. Marked by appointment with British royal coat of arms.

Pedometer, Payne type, British, 1835-1845

Surveying

1835-1845

Pedometer, Payne type, by Milton, British (?), 1835-45.

Admiral Grindall's knife and fork

Orthopaedics

1795-1830

Admiral Grindall's knife and fork

Wollaston type reflecting goniometer on marble base

Optics

Wollaston type reflecting goniometer on marble base, by R. Fuess, Berlin, Germany, 1880-1885.

Loeser's Metallic thermometer by J. G. Zimmer, 1746-47

Heat

1746-1747

Loeser's metallic dial thermometer, graduated according to the scale of J.N. De L'Isle, by J. G. Zimmer, Reinharz Castle, Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 1746-47.

Silver plated soup bowl, London & North Eastern Railway

Passenger Comforts

Soup bowl, 4 1/2", silver plate, LNER RCGE script, by Harrison Bros and Howson (BTH 240E)

Ceramic jug, London & North Eastern Railway

Passenger Comforts

Jug, white with blue floral design and gold touches, good condition, base printed LNER and makers mark, detachable metal lid with spring clip

Stainless steel and silver plated table knife - Midland Railway - Midland Cars

Passenger Comforts

Table knife, stainless steel blade and silver plated handle, by Mappin & Webb, Midland Railway, marked "Midland Cars". Overall: 11 mm x 242 mm x 21 mm, 0.07kg.

Silver plated salt pot, London & North Eastern Railway

Passenger Comforts

1923-1948

Salt pot, silver plated, London & North Eastern Railway, glass base with silver plated screw-on top, ten sided. Overall: 78 mm x 37 mm.

Silver plated cruet stand, London Midland & Scottish Railway

Passenger Comforts

Cruet stand, silver plated, London Midland & Scottish Railway, made by Walker & Hall, Sheffield; 4-hole (3 round, one oval), LMS coat of arms underneath. Insert: 316 mm x 64 mm x 46 mm; overall: 168 mm x 135 mm x 127 mm.

Davy Infra-red Reflection Apparatus.

Heat

1876

Apparatus to demonstrate that heat can be reflected in a vacuum, owned by Matthew Jackson, made by Sir Humphrey Davy, London, England, 1876

spyglass or Galilean telescope, contains gilded to

Optics

1735-1772

spyglass or Galilean telescope, contains gilded tools: scissors, tweezers, ivory wedge, spatula, etc. (lacks some items), green shagreen covered body, silver plated fittings, Thomas Ribright, London, late 18th century. Signed inscription on eye-lens sliding dust shade: 'RIBRIGHT / OPTICIAN / FECIT / LONDON'.

Circular slide rule

Froude

1877

Circular slide rule by Troughton and Simms, designed by William Froude c.1877, with inscription plate and three logarithmic scales, used at the Admiralty Experimental Establishment, by Troughton and Simms, London, 1887

Cased set of 4 catheters

Surgery

Set of 4 catheters and oil bottle, in case, manufactured by S. Maw Son and Thompson, London, 1870-1901

English tortoiseshell pivot eyeglasses with oval lenses

Optics

1830-1849

English tortoiseshell pivot eyeglasses with oval lenses, c. 1840.

7 silver plated curved catheters

Surgery

7 silver plated curved catheters part of set of 12, with cut glass bottle, in mahogany case, English, 1851-1925

Hand anemometer, Biram type, 1870-1876

Meteorology

1870-1876

Hand anemometer with 8 vanes, Biram type, unsigned, 1870-76, United Kingdom?. Supplied by F. Darton & Co., London, England.

Silver plated tankard, Great Western Railway

Passenger Comforts

1854

Tankard, silver plated, with glass bottom, Great Western Railway, made by Elkington & Co, Birmingham, 1854; 2 pint, horizontal bands round top and bottom, garter with GWR coat of arms engraved on side.

Silver plated fish knife, Great Central Railway

Passenger Comforts

Fish Knife, silver plated, bone handle, Great Central Railway.

Stainless steel and silver plated dessert knife, Midland Railway - Midland Cars

Passenger Comforts

Dessert knife, silver plated handle, stainless steel blade, by Mappin & Webb, Midland Railway, fluted handle, marked Midland Cars. Overall: 10 mm x 206 mm x 20 mm, 0.05kg.

Brodie's director

Surgery

1920-1940

Brodie's director, probe-pointed, manufctured by Thackray, Leeds, 1920-1940

Stainless steel and silver plated dessert knife, London Midland & Scottish Railway

Passenger Comforts

Dessert knife; stainless steel, London Midland & Scottish Railway, made by Walker & Hall; plain, "LMS Cars" block motif on handle. Overall: 8 mm x 200 mm x 17 mm.

Tureen, London & South Western Railway

Passenger Comforts

Tureen, wooden with removable pottery liner, two silver plated bands, by Mappin & Webb, London & South Western Railway, marked "L&SWR".

Wynne's Infallible Exposure Meter in silver case

Photographic Technology

1897

Actinometer watch-type meter, full size, in engine-turned silver case. Hallmarked AW 'X' for 1897. Round meter with white face and insturction booklet.

Dial Maximum Minimum Thermometer, 1825-38

Heat

1825-1838

Patent bimetallic maximum and minimum dial thermometer made by G. & C. Dixey, 3 New Bond Street, London, 1825-1838. Circles divided in degrees from -14 to 30° Reaumur, and from 0 to 100°F.

Silver plated cruet set, Pullman Car Company Ltd

Passenger Comforts

Cruet set, divided into four sections with glass insertand a thumb piece on handle. Four feet and a reeded round base, marked 'Pullman Company Ltd' and 'Maple and Co Ltd. 3.7 in.; 9.398 cm.

Silver plated ashtray, London & North Western Railway

Passenger Comforts

1890-1914

Ashtray, silver plated brass, London & North Western Railway, by James Beresford and Sons, Birmingham, 1890-1914, marked "LNWR".