Scientific Instruments

Bonhams Scientific Instruments auctions offer a range of scientific apparatus, from the earliest-known historical artefacts to items from the late 20th century. We provide expertise on globes, cypher machines, microscopes, telescopes, sundials, astrolabes, calculators, engineered models, cameras, medical and dental instruments, as well as drawing, surveying and navigational instruments.

We also welcome items by prominent makers throughout history, including George and Dudley Adams, Willem Jansz Blaeu, John and William Cary, John Cuff, Edmund Culpeper, Richard and Leonard Cushee, Johann Gabriel Doppelmayr, Johann Baptist Homann, Nicolas Lane, Benjamin Martin, Joseph Moxon, Edward Nairne, John Newton, and John Senex, among many more.

The department holds a dedicated annual sale in London each September, as well as offering property within the yearly Connoisseur's Library sale. Our curated auctions bring together rare and important scientific material that attract global interest. Additional sales take place in both New York and Los Angeles, relating to the History of Science, Air and Space Technology.

Bonhams also handles high-profile single-owner collections, which have included the Edell Collection of Pocket and Table Globes, The Dr. Murray MacKinnon Collection of Microscopes, The Claude Basil Fry Collection of Sundials, and the Jonathan Minns Collection of Engineered and Other Models.

Buying and selling Scientific Instruments at Bonhams
With offices and representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams gives buyers and sellers access to a global network of collectors and unparalleled marketing resources to achieve the highest price for your Scientific Instruments. Contact a specialist directly for more information or submit your item online for a free auction estimate.