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Results: Scientific & Musical Instruments 29th January

29th January 2025.

The Scientific and Musical Instruments, Cameras and Tools Sale on 29th January offered an eclectic range of lots, from medical skeletons to mechanical music. Notable in the sale was a section of modern precision optical equipment, which all sold well above estimate after strong interest. A Swarovski BTX Spotting Scope sold for £2,200 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium), Leica Ultravid 10x42 HD Binoculars sold for £700, and a Questar Reflecting Telescope sold for £450. A good Leica M6 Camera, with original box and Summicron-M f2 35mm Asph E39 lens sold well, too, at £2,800.

Medical anatomical skeletons continue to sell well, with two Human Half Skeletons selling for £480 each, the first provided by A. Rampling Medical and Scientific Instruments, Denbridge.

The top lot of the sale, however, was a working Classic Wurlitzer Model 1800 Jukebox, which sold for £4,500. Dating from 1955-58, this model is one of the most recognisable and best loved from the golden age of jukeboxes, made at a time when the 45 single recorded format was taking the world by storm. As with most Wurlitzer models from the period, the records, turntable and selection workings are all visible.

The musical section of the sale also saw the sale of a tranche of guitars from a Private Collection, which sold well throughout. Highlights included a Gibson (Norlin Era) Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar (sold for £2,500). From other vendors was a Banjolele by Abbott, which smashed the presale estimate to sell for £1,100, perhaps aided by a George Formby autograph signed on a 1944 2-franc forces currency note that accompanied the lot.


The sale realised a total hammer price of £64,730, with an 85% sold rate for the 189 lots.

 

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