Objects of Desire
Wed, Feb 25, 2026 10:00AM EST
Lot 3
Von Nardroff Color Apparatus
Estimate: $200 - $400
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 |
The Von Nardroff Color Apparatus and Interference Filters, ca. 1916.
Mounted on a short stand, together with a selection of color filters in a wooden box.
Dr Ernest Robert Von Nardroff (1864-1938), a New York City science teacher, invented this color mixer which projects three beams of colored light on a white surface, for the study of color phenomena.
Brass, mahogany, glass on a KNOTT cast iron stand.
H: 7 1/2 W: 9 1/8 D: 7 in.
1916: L.E. Knott Co., Apparatus Catalogue (Boston 19xx), p. 321. "Briefly, it is an attachment that converts an ordinary Projection Lantern into a triple lantern in which each of the three beams of light is independent as to intensity and direction."
Tom Greenslade, "The Von Nardroff Color Mixing Apparatus," The Physics Teacher 43 (2006): 602.
In the Smithsonian, National Museum of American History, Accession 312090
Additional color filters included.
Mounted on a short stand, together with a selection of color filters in a wooden box.
Dr Ernest Robert Von Nardroff (1864-1938), a New York City science teacher, invented this color mixer which projects three beams of colored light on a white surface, for the study of color phenomena.
Brass, mahogany, glass on a KNOTT cast iron stand.
H: 7 1/2 W: 9 1/8 D: 7 in.
1916: L.E. Knott Co., Apparatus Catalogue (Boston 19xx), p. 321. "Briefly, it is an attachment that converts an ordinary Projection Lantern into a triple lantern in which each of the three beams of light is independent as to intensity and direction."
Tom Greenslade, "The Von Nardroff Color Mixing Apparatus," The Physics Teacher 43 (2006): 602.
In the Smithsonian, National Museum of American History, Accession 312090
Condition
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.
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