Ended

Fine Mechanical Music and Scientific Instruments

3 May 2012 | starting at 13:00 BST

Live Auction

London, Knightsbridge

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Auction highlights

An exceptionally rare Baird type T5 mirror-lid television receiver, dated 29th September 1936,. Sold for £27,500 inc. premium

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Lot gallery

151 lots available

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97 — A C. Moody Telescopic view of The Great Exhibition, 1851,

£400 - £600

98 — A set of nine extremely erotic glass magic lantern slides, French, circa 1880,

Sold for £10,625 inc. premium

99 —
Rotating and Sliding magic lantern slides:

Sold for £1,250 inc. premium

100 — A collection of Newton & Co hand painted and mahogany framed astronomical lantern slides, English, mid 19th century, (qty)

Sold for £375 inc. premium

101^W — An impressive 5-inch W Watson & Sons "Century" refracting astronomical telescope on stand, English, early 20th century,

Amended

Sold for £8,125 inc. premium

102^W — A Dancer 3.1/2-inch reflacting telescope, English, mid 19th century and later,

Sold for £2,500 inc. premium

103 —
An Edward Nairne 4-inch brass Gregorian reflecting telescope,
English, late 18th century,

Sold for £3,500 inc. premium

$A 2-inch brass refracting converted from reflecting telescope, English, early 19th century,$

104 —
A 2-inch brass refracting converted from reflecting telescope,
English, early 19th century,

Sold for £400 inc. premium

105 — A 2 1/2-inch Elliott Brothers brass refracting telescope on stand, English,

£700 - £900

$A 3-inch W Watson brass refracting telescope, English, early 20th century,$

106 —
A 3-inch W Watson brass refracting telescope,
English, early 20th century,

Amended

£600 - £800

107^W — A 3 1/2-inch Dolland brass and mahogany refracting astronomical telescope, English, mid 19th century,

Sold for £312.50 inc. premium

108^Y — A large and rare Thomas Tuchar ivory triptych sundial, Nuremberg, pre 1645,

Sold for £15,000 inc. premium

113 — A Troughton & Simms brass Everest-type theodolite, English, mid 19th century,

Sold for £687.50 inc. premium

114 — An E R Watts & Son small transit theodolite, English, 1920's, (2)

Sold for £475 inc. premium

115 — A cased mahogany pocket surveying compass relating to HMS Bounty English, 18th century,

Sold for £7,500 inc. premium

116 —
An Alexander Wellington brass theodolite,
English, early 19th century,

£600 - £800

117 — A Troughton brass rule, English, circa 1830,

Sold for £250 inc. premium

118 —
A rare folding boxwood Gunter quadrant,
English, dated 1680,

Sold for £10,250 inc. premium

119 — A brass Gunter quadrant, English, late 17th century,

Sold for £4,750 inc. premium

120 — A Troughton & Simms brass circular protractor in case, English, mid 19th century

£400 - £600

121 — A Dent Patent dry card small boat compass,

£500 - £700

122 — A J B Winter brass miner's dial, English, mid 19th century,

£300 - £400

123 —
A pair of one-handed dividers,
probably English, 17th century,

Sold for £775 inc. premium

124 — A surgeon's bone saw and a pair of stonemason's dividers, 18th century, (2)

£250 - £350

125 —
A cased seven day recording Barograph,

Sold for £437.50 inc. premium

126^W — A fine pair of J & W Cary 18-inch terrestrial and celestial globes, English, circa 1835, (2)

Sold for £97,250 inc. premium

127^W — A good 18-inch terrestrial library globe by C. Smith & Son, English, mid 19th century,

Amended

Sold for £7,500 inc. premium

128^W — A Smith's 18-inch terrestrial library globe, English, mid 19th century,

Sold for £3,500 inc. premium

129 — A matched pair of 6-inch Smiths terrestrial and celestial table globes,English, published 1864, English, published 1864, (2)

£1,500 - £2,000

130 —
A pair of Malby's 8 1/2-inch terrestrial and celestial table globes
English, published 1885
(2)

£1,500 - £2,000

131 — A fine Nicholas Lane 2 3/4-inch pocket globe, English, published 1779,

Sold for £10,625 inc. premium

132 — A large and comprehensive collection of microscope slides and specimens, circa 1860-1940,

Sold for £6,000 inc. premium

133 —
Microscope slide specimens and microphotographs:
mid 19th-early 20th century,

Sold for £3,500 inc. premium

134 — A collection of pathology microscope slides, early 20th century,

£250 - £350

135^Y — A turned rosewood and ivory entomological microscope, circa 1830,

Sold for £1,750 inc. premium

136 —
A brass binocular microscope, by I. C Robbins, late 19th century,

£350 - £550

137 — A binocular microscope, by Watson & Sons, London,

Sold for £125 inc. premium

138 —
A Gould type compound microscope,
English, circa 1830,

Withdrawn

Amended

£250 - £350

139 — An early monocular microscope, by Cary, London, circa 1775,

Sold for £4,375 inc. premium

140 —
A very fine Watson & Sons "No. 1 Van Heurck" binocular/monocular microscope,
English, 1938,

Sold for £4,500 inc. premium

141 — A Watson & Sons binocular microscope, late 19th century,

£1,000 - £1,500

142 — A Pillischer monocular/binocular "International" compound microscope, English, circa 1900,

Sold for £562.50 inc. premium

143 — A brass compound monocular microscope, English, late 19th century,

£250 - £350

144 — A small drum microscope, English, circa 1900,

£200 - £300

Specialist contacts

Jon Baddeley

Specialist Consultant Collectors, Science & Marine

Tel: +44 20 7393 3872

Jon.Baddeley@bonhams.com

Scientific Instruments (UK)

scientific@bonhams.com

Client Services (UK)

Tel: +44 20 7447 7447

info@bonhams.com

Shipping (UK)

Tel: +44 20 7468 8302

shipping@bonhams.com

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

- Scientific Instruments

*	Import low rate
	VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.
W	Shipping & handling restrictions apply
	Lot is located in the Bonhams Warehouse and will only be available for collection from this location.
Y	CITES
	Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the UK, see clause 13.

Fine Mechanical Music and Scientific Instruments

Auction highlights

Lot gallery

97 — A C. Moody Telescopic view of The Great Exhibition, 1851,

98 — A set of nine extremely erotic glass magic lantern slides, French, circa 1880,

99 — Rotating and Sliding magic lantern slides:

100 — A collection of Newton & Co hand painted and mahogany framed astronomical lantern slides, English, mid 19th century, (qty)

101W — An impressive 5-inch W Watson & Sons "Century" refracting astronomical telescope on stand, English, early 20th century,

102W — A Dancer 3.1/2-inch reflacting telescope, English, mid 19th century and later,

103 — An Edward Nairne 4-inch brass Gregorian reflecting telescope, English, late 18th century,

104 — A 2-inch brass refracting converted from reflecting telescope, English, early 19th century,

105 — A 2 1/2-inch Elliott Brothers brass refracting telescope on stand, English,

106 — A 3-inch W Watson brass refracting telescope, English, early 20th century,

107W — A 3 1/2-inch Dolland brass and mahogany refracting astronomical telescope, English, mid 19th century,

108Y — A large and rare Thomas Tuchar ivory triptych sundial, Nuremberg, pre 1645,

109Y — A pair of ebony Octants, 2

110Y — A 19th Century 11in.(28cm)radius ebony octant, by Crighton, London.

111 — A 7ins.(18cm) radius sextant,

112 — A 7ins.(18cm) radius tri circle frame sextant,

113 — A Troughton & Simms brass Everest-type theodolite, English, mid 19th century,

114 — An E R Watts & Son small transit theodolite, English, 1920's, (2)

115 — A cased mahogany pocket surveying compass relating to HMS Bounty English, 18th century,

116 — An Alexander Wellington brass theodolite, English, early 19th century,

117 — A Troughton brass rule, English, circa 1830,

118 — A rare folding boxwood Gunter quadrant, English, dated 1680,

119 — A brass Gunter quadrant, English, late 17th century,

120 — A Troughton & Simms brass circular protractor in case, English, mid 19th century

121 — A Dent Patent dry card small boat compass,

122 — A J B Winter brass miner's dial, English, mid 19th century,

123 — A pair of one-handed dividers, probably English, 17th century,

124 — A surgeon's bone saw and a pair of stonemason's dividers, 18th century, (2)

125 — A cased seven day recording Barograph,

126W — A fine pair of J & W Cary 18-inch terrestrial and celestial globes, English, circa 1835, (2)

127W — A good 18-inch terrestrial library globe by C. Smith & Son, English, mid 19th century,

128W — A Smith's 18-inch terrestrial library globe, English, mid 19th century,

129 — A matched pair of 6-inch Smiths terrestrial and celestial table globes,English, published 1864, English, published 1864, (2)

130 — A pair of Malby's 8 1/2-inch terrestrial and celestial table globes English, published 1885 (2)

131 — A fine Nicholas Lane 2 3/4-inch pocket globe, English, published 1779,

132 — A large and comprehensive collection of microscope slides and specimens, circa 1860-1940,

133 — Microscope slide specimens and microphotographs: mid 19th-early 20th century,

134 — A collection of pathology microscope slides, early 20th century,

135Y — A turned rosewood and ivory entomological microscope, circa 1830,

136 — A brass binocular microscope, by I. C Robbins, late 19th century,

137 — A binocular microscope, by Watson & Sons, London,

138 — A Gould type compound microscope, English, circa 1830,

139 — An early monocular microscope, by Cary, London, circa 1775,

140 — A very fine Watson & Sons "No. 1 Van Heurck" binocular/monocular microscope, English, 1938,

141 — A Watson & Sons binocular microscope, late 19th century,

142 — A Pillischer monocular/binocular "International" compound microscope, English, circa 1900,

143 — A brass compound monocular microscope, English, late 19th century,

144 — A small drum microscope, English, circa 1900,

Specialist contacts

Jon Baddeley

Scientific Instruments (UK)

Client Services (UK)

Shipping (UK)

Additional information

Auction information

Lot Symbols

Related Departments

Conditions of Sale

99 —
Rotating and Sliding magic lantern slides:

101^W — An impressive 5-inch W Watson & Sons "Century" refracting astronomical telescope on stand, English, early 20th century,

102^W — A Dancer 3.1/2-inch reflacting telescope, English, mid 19th century and later,

103 —
An Edward Nairne 4-inch brass Gregorian reflecting telescope,
English, late 18th century,

104 —
A 2-inch brass refracting converted from reflecting telescope,
English, early 19th century,

106 —
A 3-inch W Watson brass refracting telescope,
English, early 20th century,

107^W — A 3 1/2-inch Dolland brass and mahogany refracting astronomical telescope, English, mid 19th century,

108^Y — A large and rare Thomas Tuchar ivory triptych sundial, Nuremberg, pre 1645,

109^Y — A pair of ebony Octants, 2

110^Y — A 19th Century 11in.(28cm)radius ebony octant, by Crighton, London.

111 —
A 7ins.(18cm) radius sextant,

112 —
A 7ins.(18cm) radius tri circle frame sextant,

116 —
An Alexander Wellington brass theodolite,
English, early 19th century,

118 —
A rare folding boxwood Gunter quadrant,
English, dated 1680,

123 —
A pair of one-handed dividers,
probably English, 17th century,

125 —
A cased seven day recording Barograph,

126^W — A fine pair of J & W Cary 18-inch terrestrial and celestial globes, English, circa 1835, (2)

127^W — A good 18-inch terrestrial library globe by C. Smith & Son, English, mid 19th century,

128^W — A Smith's 18-inch terrestrial library globe, English, mid 19th century,

130 —
A pair of Malby's 8 1/2-inch terrestrial and celestial table globes
English, published 1885
(2)

133 —
Microscope slide specimens and microphotographs:
mid 19th-early 20th century,

135^Y — A turned rosewood and ivory entomological microscope, circa 1830,

136 —
A brass binocular microscope, by I. C Robbins, late 19th century,

138 —
A Gould type compound microscope,
English, circa 1830,

140 —
A very fine Watson & Sons "No. 1 Van Heurck" binocular/monocular microscope,
English, 1938,