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Encyclopedia of Antique Scientific Instruments
John FitzMaurice Mills
Aurum Press, London, 1983 first edition
Very good condition with lightly worn dust cover.

Hardbound with dust cover. 7.75 x 10 inches. 255 Pages, many b/w photographs. This is an A - Z assemblage of descriptions of astronomical, navigational, time measurement, linear measurement, weight, volume, and temperature instruments combined with brief biographies of the leading contributors to the field. Many mechanisms are also described, such as "Roman Striking" in clocks. Appendices include caring for a collection of instruments, forgeries and fakes, a chronological table of important inventions and events, and a global guide to where public collections of instruments can be seen.
ISBN•ASIN: 0906053404

SOLD

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The Billings Microscope Collection
Col. James L. Hansen, Capt. William A. Schrader, Col. William R. Cowan, et al
Published by Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC, 1974 second edition
Very good condition, very minor shelf wear on covers

Paperbound. 7.75 x 10.25 inches. 244 Pages, about 475 b/w photographs. This book documents the microscope collection of the Medical Museum at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC. The collection is named after US Army Colonel John S. Billings, who began it in 1883. Instruments start from the 17th century and run to today's electron microscopes. A history of the microscope and its major contributors is provided, but the body of the book is almost completely about individual microscopes with exhaustive detail on each.
ISBN•ASIN: None

115.00
3.72

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Collecting and Restoring Scientific Instruments
Ronald Pearsall
Arco Publishing Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1974 first edition
Very good condition with very minor wear to dust cover.

Hardbound with dust cover. 5.75 x 8.75 inches. 278 Pages, approx. 125 b/w photographs and line drawings. Much good background and construction information in chapters covering surveying instruments, navigational instruments, dials, telescopes, spheres and orreries, spectroscopes, microscopes, barometers, thermometers, precision balances, drawing instruments, and surgical instruments. There is a good section on the materials used, and cleaning and renovations. There is an index of British and American makers and a further index of makers by specialty. A very useful reference book.
ISBN•ASIN: 0668034912

SOLD

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Antique Scientific Instruments
Gerard L'E. Turner
Blandford Press, England, 1980 first edition
Very good to fine condition with very minor wear to dust cover.

Hardbound with dust cover. 5.5 x 7.75 inches. 168 Pages, 48 pages of color photographs, a few b/w photos and some reprints of historical documents. One book of the Blandford Color Series. A good brief summary of the history and development of several classes of instruments, including a worldwide directory to museums and collections. A nice introductory book for the field of instrument collecting.
ISBN•ASIN: 0713709235

8.50
3.22

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The Divided Circle: A History of Instruments for Astronomy, Navigation and Surveying
J.A. Bennett
Phaidon - Christie's Limited, England, 1987 first edition
Very good to fine condition, dust cover wrapped in mylar but not an ex-library copy.

Hardbound with dust cover. 8.75 x 11.25 inches. 224 Pages, 260 b/w and color photographs. A rare and fascinating study from antiquity to the 20th century of the field of instruments used for precise measurement, and their impact on the world. Quoting from the dust jacket: "Dr. Bennett makes an important contribution to the history of scientific ideas and their application to practical ends. At the same time he provides for collectors and enthusiasts the first-ever practical guide to the identification, dating and understanding of some of the finest scientific instruments ever made."
ISBN•ASIN: 0714880388

155.00
4.22

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Thinkers and Tinkers: Early American Men of Science
Silvio A. Bedini
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1975 first edition
Excellent. Book is like new, dust jacket is like new with protective plastic sleeve.

Hardbound with dust cover. 6.5 x 9.5 inches. 520 pages, 102 b/w photos/illustrations. A very comprehensive survey of the American practitioners in the development of instruments of science, up into the early 19th century. The mathematical theory behind their discoveries is explored, as well as the practical application in surveying, mining, engineering, and navigation.
ISBN•ASIN: 0684142686

10.00
4.22