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Description

A Glowing Set of Seven Crookes Demonstration Tubes

Set of Seven Demonstration Crookes Tubes. Circa 1880. This set of demonstration Crookes Tubes is comprised of seven glass tubes measuring 9.5 inches to 26 inches long, including a stunning 27-turn twist spiral; varying widths and shapes, some with chambers filled with mineral powder or double-walled, some tubes with paper labels. Housed in a two-tier pine case with horsehair lined tube fittings. Appears to be lacking one tube.

Sir William Crookes (1832-1919) was an English Chemist and physicist, highly-acclaimed for his research in electricity and radiant matter. His "tubes" explored the fourth state of matter, plasma, and the various fluorescent and phosphorescent properties of minerals, forming the precursors of the x-ray and TV tubes. This particular set comes from the Early Technology Collection of Michael Bennett-Levy; he notes in the original 2009 auction listing: "By repute this was William Crookes's own travelling sample case for demonstration purposes. The spiral tube gives credence to this attribution... "

Condition: Darkening to the end of some tubes. Minor soiling and wear. Paper labels with scattered soiling and dampstaining. One tube with an inner glass bubble cracked. Box rubbed and worn with some scattered soiling and chipping to edges, small crack to the upper left corner of the lid, paper labels chiefly lost, a few pieces of masking tape to edges and Bonham's lot sticker to the top.

References: Mills, J., Encyclopedia of Antique Scientific Instruments, pages 94-95.

Provenance: Michael Bennett-Levy Early Technology Collection; Bonhams, September 30, 2009, lot 560.


Auction Info

Auction Dates
December, 2022
1st Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 383

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $300,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $300,000 and $3,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $3,000,000 per lot.

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Sold on Dec 1, 2022 for: $625.00
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