From the Library to the Laboratory: Where Knowledge Meets Craft

Collectors drawn to the intersection of science, history, and craftsmanship will find plenty to explore in From the Library to the Laboratory, a timed auction running March 24 through April 8, 2026. Featuring material from the collection of John A. Davidson, Jr., the sale brings together rare books, scientific instruments, and early industrial machines, each reflecting centuries of curiosity, experimentation, and innovation. With pre-bidding available online and the auction beginning at 10 AM EST on April 8, this sale offers a compelling opportunity to acquire objects that bridge intellectual pursuit and material culture.

Featured Auction Highlights:

Andreas Vogler Sundial and Compass (Lot 1)
An elegant example of early scientific craftsmanship, this 18th-century German sundial and compass combines function with artistry. As noted in the catalog, the brass instrument features an engraved octagonal base plate and inscribed city latitudes, underscoring its use in navigation and geographic calculation. 
Produced in Augsburg by Andreas Vogler (1730–1800), the piece reflects a time when portable instruments were essential tools for travelers, surveyors, and scholars alike. Even with minor condition wear consistent with age, it remains a compelling artifact of early scientific exploration, equally suited for collectors of instruments or decorative objects.

Estimate: $600–$800

Franz & Pope Autoknitter with Stand (Lot 23)
A highlight for collectors of industrial history, the Franz & Pope autoknitter represents a pivotal moment in the mechanization of textile production. This late 19th-century machine, constructed of cast iron, wood, and steel, includes an adjustable stand, original parts, and even advertising ephemera. 
With multiple patents dating from 1869 to 1872, the autoknitter illustrates the ingenuity behind early automated manufacturing. Its sculptural presence, complete with gilded decorative elements, makes it as visually engaging as it is historically significant. For collectors interested in the evolution of industry, this piece offers both narrative depth and display appeal.

Estimate: $1,000–$2,000

Three Scientific Laboratory Apparatus (Lot 45)
This grouping of three scientific instruments offers a fascinating glimpse into experimental practices of the 19th and 20th centuries. The lot includes a Max Kohl tone variator used to study human sensitivity to pitch, a suspended coil galvanometer from Phillip Harris Ltd., and a Wollaston-type goniometer designed to measure crystal angles. 
Crafted from brass, iron, and steel, these instruments reflect the precision and specialization of scientific inquiry during this period. Though untested, their historical importance lies in their role as tools of discovery, objects that once enabled scientists to quantify and better understand the physical world.

Estimate: $1,000–$2,000

John Greaves, Miscellaneous Works (Lot 55)
For collectors of rare books, this first edition of John Greaves’ Miscellaneous Works (published in London in 1737) stands out as a significant scholarly artifact. The two-volume set includes folding plates and illustrations, reflecting Greaves’ contributions to the study of ancient measurements and architecture. 
Despite condition notes such as toning and wear, the set retains strong intellectual and historical value. Greaves, a 17th-century mathematician and antiquarian, was instrumental in bridging classical knowledge with early modern scientific thought. This work offers collectors the opportunity to own a tangible piece of that intellectual legacy.

Estimate: $800–$1,200

From the Library to the Laboratory is more than a themed auction, it is a narrative of human inquiry, spanning disciplines from science and engineering to literature and exploration. With in-person viewing available by appointment from March 25 through April 7, and the timed sale beginning April 8 at 10 AM EST, collectors have the chance to engage deeply with these objects before bidding.

Whether you are drawn to the precision of scientific instruments, the ingenuity of early machinery, or the enduring power of the written word, this sale offers a thoughtfully curated selection that connects past innovation with present-day collecting.

See the full sale catalog and register to bid on Bidsquare.com.