Archives: Ophthalmology

18th C Magnifying Glass

An early magnifying glass almost certainly from the 18th century but whose box was made later in the the 19th century. The lens has one crack which extends only a few mm and two small chips as shown and is held securely in its horn frame.

A rare 18th century magnifying glass with a horn handle and frame in its original green velvet lined box. The top of the leather box is bordered with an attractive design. The back leather hinge of the box is secure, but delicately attached.

Antique Loring Ophthalmoscope (3)

Late 19th century Loring Ophthalmoscope in original green velvet lined leather wallet. Wallet and ophthalmoscope signed "F.A Hardy & Co Chicago". There is minor damage to interior of wallet (see pictures) which has been repaired. The ophthalmoscope is in very good condition and the 15 internal and 4 external lenses and mirror are all present and intact. The handle is made from Gutta Percha or Bakelite.  There is an indirect lens in perfect condition within an allocated space in the closing cover.  A lovely antique ophthalmoscope in complete and original condition.

Antique Ophthalmology book "Treatment of Diseases of the eye" by Dr V Hanke working with Prof Fusch in Vienna. Translated by Parsons and Coats (Moorfields). Published 1905

Antique Morton's Ophthalmoscope (1)

A fine late 19th/early 20th century ophthalmoscope. The embossed leather case is lined with blue velvet and is in excellent condition with a secure latch and hinge. The handle is brass and ivory and has base which rotates to test colour vision. The mirrors and lenses are all in good condition as is the chain of lens mechanism. The case holds an indirect lens. The scope is marked "Morton's Ophthalmoscope Curry and Paxton London"

An excellent late 19th/early 20th century Austrian Morton's ophthalmoscope. The embossed suede leather case is lined with mauve velvet and is in excellent condition with a secure latch and hinge. It is marked "Ophthalmoscop Morton". The handle is made from ivory. The mirrors and lenses are all in good condition as is the chain of lens mechanism. The case holds a metal bound indirect lens. The scope is marked "A Schwartz Wien. Made in Austria".

Antique Oldham Ophthalmoscope

A rare folding Oldham ophthalmoscope invented in 1886 by Charles Oldham. In excellent condition with an unmarked mirror and all nine lenses intact. It comes in a black leather wallet.

A superb early 1900's French Ophthalmoscope by Giroux in a suede lined leather case. In excellent condition with all lenses and mirrors intact.

A rare 19th century Boynton ophthalmoscope by Meyrowitz in its original purple velvet lined leather case. The outside of the case is marked Boynton Ophthalmoscope. The inside is marked Meyrowitch Bros 295 and 297 Fouth Avenue. New-York. The ivory handled scope itself is in excellent condition with the smallest of cracks in the ivory where it joints the scope (see pics). It has only one internal lens which swings in front of the viewing aperture. There is an indirect lens which is in perfect condition and is marked "2 1/2".

An fine late 19th century variation of the Loring Ophthalmoscope with a detachable ivory handle. The ophthalmoscope is in excellent condition with both mirrors and all 15 internal and 4 external lenses are present and intact. The scope is marked "Medical Supply association for Curry and Paxton". The purple velvet lined leather case is in excellent condition and is also marked curry and Paxton. There is 50x50mm indirect lens present which has a superficial 12x14mm chip on the perimeter.

Antique Liebreich Ophthalmoscope (3)

A very fine example of an optometer in brass, ebonised wood and steel, made by and marked F A Hardy & Co Opticians Chicago Illanois. Patented 29th April 1902. The eyepiece is held to one eye and the brass screw on the main stem is turned until the disc comes into clear focus. This measures the correction required for reading glasses. Has a rare brass eye shield for the untested eye. Built to a very high standard and in perfect working order 100 years later.

The scope is in excellent condition with minimal feathering to the mirror and a detachable ebony handle. The back of the head of the scope is etched with an attractive design of concentric circles. The interior of the box in in good condition and the padded purple silk lining marked "FS and WS Fowler Chicago". The scope and lenses sit on brown velvet lining. The lenses are in perfect condition and have '2' and '3' etched in small letters on their peripheries. The box has wear but is structurally sound with a firm smooth latch mechanism.

Liebreich Ophthalmoscope (Hauptner)

An unusual variation of Liebreich's ophthalmoscope with an enclosed sprung tape measure and an optometer like device. An extremely rare configuration which may have been used as a teaching device.

The ophthalmoscope and mirror are in excellent condition. The handle is made from an early plastic or bakelite and is detachable. There is a full complement of 5 small and two larger indirect lenses all in perfect condition The embossed leather case with purple silk and velvet lining is in excellent condition. It is marked "Dr. Liebreichs Augenspiegel. Haupner"  The hinge is sound and the latch closes securely.

A trial lens set from the turn of the century with the original testing frames and a full and complement of lenses

A fine French ophthalmoscope by the renowned Giroux dating to the early 20th century. It comes in a suede lined leather case and is in near mint condition with a full complement lenses and mirrors which are all intact.