Gray's Auctioneers
Live Auction

A Treasure Trove of Discoveries

Wed, Mar 18, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-03-18 11:00:00 2026-03-18 11:00:00 America/New_York Gray's Auctioneers LLC Gray's Auctioneers LLC : A Treasure Trove of Discoveries https://auctions.graysauctioneers.com/auctions/grays/a-treasure-trove-of-discoveries-22341
A Cabinet of Wonders for the Discerning Collector.
Art, History, Science & the Gloriously Specific.
What do Pablo Picasso, Commander J.J. Clark, and the Van Sweringen Brothers have in common? Very little — until now. This extraordinary sale brings together objects that span continents, centuries, and disciplines, united only by the conviction that the best things to own are the ones that come with a story worth telling.
Gray's Auctioneers info@graysauctioneers.com
Lot 196

Lenses and Books on Lenses.

Estimate: $150 - $250
Starting Bid
$70

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$200,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000
Set of 4 condensing lenses, an optical lens, spectroscopy lens holder, and 3 books on lenses and prisms. 19th and 20th century.
3 lenses are 6 in. diameter. Biconvex lens is 19th century aqua-glass, 3 5/8 in. diameter. Brass and steel mounted lens is 3 5/8 in. diameter.

Painted steel lens holder, with two lenses mounted. Approximately H: 14 x W: 18 x D: 5 1/2 in. and

Books include the following titles: Prism and Lens Making by Twyman (1957); Mirrors, Prisms, and Lenses by Southall (1933); Lens-Work for Amateurs by Orford (1894).

Books are blue cloth bound, approximately 600 pp., with illustrations and indices.

Poor. One of the lenses has a significant chip. Scratches throughout the lenses. Books are bumped, rubbed, and scuffed. The Orford book is separating at panels, with slight losses to head and tail of spine and corners. Toning and foxing throughout.

When you’re the winning bidder on an item from Gray’s Auctioneers, you have three options for claiming your new treasure: 1. You can schedule an appointment to pick it up at 10717 Detroit Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. 2. You can arrange for a third party service like UPS to pick up, pack, and ship your item. Two recommended UPS Stores are: store1308@theupsstore.com (440.333.4810); store1016@theupsstore.com (330-725-7033 press 9). 3. If you would like fine art craters or for blanket wrap shipping services, please contact Gray's.

From the Estate of John A. Davidson, Jr. Proceeds to benefit the APL of Lorain County and the Dittrick Museum, CWRU.