Contact Seller
Jason Clarke Antiques
Tel07815 046645Please quote Antiques Atlas.
Vintage Beam Compass, German, Cartography
Brass Theodolite
Rare Antique Elliott Brothers Brass Thermopile
Mahogany Microscope Slide Box / Glass Slides 1900
19th C Surveyors Metamorphic Instrument Box /T able
Vintage Fuller's Calculator, English, Bakelite
Large Set of 8 Vintage Lab Sieves, English, Brass
Vintage Scholar's Drawing Set, French, Brass
Antique Cased Draughtsman's Set, English, Drawing
Antique Scholar's Microscope, English, Brass
Antique Draughtsman's Tool Set, English
Optician's Set Of Test Equipment In Case
Non UK callers :
+44 7815 046645
Early Demonstration Van Der Graff Generator
![](http://staticaz.antiquesatlas.com/images/loading_new.gif)
1 of 6
For sale, a rare mid-twentieth century Van Der Graaff Generator by Physica
This rare and early example is comprised of a Bakelite rectangular base with input to the front for an additional discharge wand and the manufacturer transfer to the front stating “Physica”. It has a circular handle incorporated to the side with a groove cut out in order to attach the generator to an external motor.
Two lucite struts support the upper and lower rollers which hold the natural rubber belt and a set of combs is attached at the top above the upper roller and another at the side of the base roller. The unusual and early type domed hood is formed from a brass tray with a metal gauze material.
The Van Der Graaff generator works by means of the rubber belt moving over two rollers comprised of differing materials each with a comb, the top one connected to the hood and the bottom one connected to earth. Owing to the different materials of the rollers, the movement of the belt causes the transfer of electrons. The bottom roller will be negatively charged and the top positively charged. The excess positive charge is subsequently accumulated on the outer surface of the dome and builds up very large amounts of charge. If a wand was attached to the instrument at this point and offered up to the dome, then the electrons drawn up from the ground would be attracted to the positive charge in the dome and spark would be generated.
The original machine was invented by physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff at Princeton University and marked the beginning of nuclear research for the civilian applications. It is however, best known for its use as a scientific demonstration tool where the static is used for making people’s hair stand on end or for creating sparks in a similar vein to its earlier counterpart the Wimshurst machine.
This example owing to its style of manufacture is an early demonstration model and is probably of Italian origin. I have found none that are outside of museum or University collections.
Circa 1950.
SellerJason Clarke Antiques
View all stock from
Jason Clarke Antiques
![](//images.antiquesatlas.com/regions/engl13.gif)
Private dealer
By appointment only
Newbury
Berkshire
Tel : 07815 046645
Non UK callers : +44 7815 046645
This rare and early example is comprised of a Bakelite rectangular base with input to the front for an additional discharge wand and the manufacturer transfer to the front stating “Physica”. It has a circular handle incorporated to the side with a groove cut out in order to attach the generator to an external motor.
Two lucite struts support the upper and lower rollers which hold the natural rubber belt and a set of combs is attached at the top above the upper roller and another at the side of the base roller. The unusual and early type domed hood is formed from a brass tray with a metal gauze material.
The Van Der Graaff generator works by means of the rubber belt moving over two rollers comprised of differing materials each with a comb, the top one connected to the hood and the bottom one connected to earth. Owing to the different materials of the rollers, the movement of the belt causes the transfer of electrons. The bottom roller will be negatively charged and the top positively charged. The excess positive charge is subsequently accumulated on the outer surface of the dome and builds up very large amounts of charge. If a wand was attached to the instrument at this point and offered up to the dome, then the electrons drawn up from the ground would be attracted to the positive charge in the dome and spark would be generated.
The original machine was invented by physicist Robert J. Van de Graaff at Princeton University and marked the beginning of nuclear research for the civilian applications. It is however, best known for its use as a scientific demonstration tool where the static is used for making people’s hair stand on end or for creating sparks in a similar vein to its earlier counterpart the Wimshurst machine.
This example owing to its style of manufacture is an early demonstration model and is probably of Italian origin. I have found none that are outside of museum or University collections.
Circa 1950.
Price
The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 6/FEB/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
Category Scientific Antiques
Period 1950s Antiques
Material Bakelite
Origin Italian
Maker Physica
Item code as542a433
Status For Sale
£1750.00 ![UK](//staticaz.antiquesatlas.com/images/flag_uk.gif)
$2172.45![USA](//staticaz.antiquesatlas.com/images/flag_us.gif)
€2095.28![EU](//staticaz.antiquesatlas.com/images/flag_eu.gif)
![UK](http://staticaz.antiquesatlas.com/images/flag_uk.gif)
$2172.45
![USA](http://staticaz.antiquesatlas.com/images/flag_us.gif)
€2095.28
![EU](http://staticaz.antiquesatlas.com/images/flag_eu.gif)
![paypal acceptance mark](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/paypal_stuff.png)
Conversion rates as of 6/FEB/2025. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer.
View all stock from
Jason Clarke Antiques
![](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/regions/engl13.gif)
![Jason Clarke Antiques Jason Clarke Antiques](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/images/as/j/jasonclarkeantiques.jpg)
By appointment only
Newbury
Berkshire
Tel : 07815 046645
Non UK callers : +44 7815 046645
You may also be interested in
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Vintage_Beam_Compass_German_Cartography_as272a7970-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/vladdsinteriors/Brass_maritime_Theodolite_as1178a437-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/hashtagcurios/RARE_ANTIQUE_ELLIOTT_BROTHERS_BRASS_THERMOPILE_as1230a009-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/brookantiques/Mahogany_Microscope_Slide_Box__Glass_Slides_1900_as1226a032-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/elmgarden/19th_C_Surveyors_Metamorphic_Instrument_BoxTable_as284a10646-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Vintage_Fullers_Calculator_English_Bakelite_as272a7476-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Large_Set_of_8_Vintage_Lab_Sieves_English_Brass_as272a7224-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Vintage_Scholars_Drawing_Set_French_Brass_as272a7203-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Antique_Cased_Draughtsmans_Set_English_Drawing_as272a7145-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Antique_Scholars_Microscope_English_Brass_as272a7135-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/londonfine/Antique_Draughtsmans_Tool_Set__as272a6975-thumb.jpg)
![](http://www.antiques-atlas.com/dealer-stock-images/thosewerethedays/OPTICIANS_SET_OF_TEST_EQUIPMEN_as1060a625-thumb.jpg)