1999 Leiden Symposium

Scientific Instrument Commission

1999 Leiden Symposium

Scientific Instruments: Originals and Imitations. The Mensing Connection
Museum Boerhaave
Leiden, The Netherlands
October 15-16, 1999

This symposium is part of the Anton Mensing Scientific Instrument Project, a joint venture of the Museum Boerhaave, Leiden, the Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam, the Utrecht University Museum and the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, Chicago. It aims to trace, catalogue and research the instruments owned by Anton W.M. Mensing (1866-1936), director and owner of Frederik Muller & Co., auctioneers in Amsterdam. Ever since they were dispersed, there have been doubts on the authenticity of a section of the Mensing instruments; indeed, several have been proved to be forgeries. The symposium will address the problem of authenticity and historic scientific instruments.

Scientific Instruments: Originals and Imitations. The Mensing Connection A two-day symposium at the Museum Boerhaave, Leiden Programme Details
Friday	15 October
10.00-10.45	Introductions P.R. de Clercq, London, United Kingdom W.F.J. Mörzer Bruyns, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
10.45-11.30	Paris, Amsterdam, London: the Collecting, Trade and Display of Early Scientific Instruments, 1830-1930 A.J.Turner, Le Mesnil-le-Roi, France
11.30-12.00	Coffee
12.00-12.45	Recognizing Imitation Instruments G.L'E. Turner, Oxford, United Kingdom
12.45-14.30	Lunch
14.30-15.15	Why Make Fakes? O. Gingerich, Harvard Smithsonian , USA
15.15-16.00	Twenty Years of Scientific Instruments at Auction J. Collins, London, United Kingdom
16.00-16.30	Scientific and Technical Examination of Metal Objects P. Hallebeek, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
	Reception
Saturday	16 October
10.00-10.45	A Chapter in Silver Faking: the Feeterse Clan K.A. Citroen, Aerdenhout, The Netherlands
10.45-11.30	Fakes among the Mensing Instruments J.C. Deiman, Utrecht, The Netherlands
11.30-12.00	Coffee
12.00-12.30
12.30-13.00	Replicating Instruments: Some Practical Aspects M. Brunold, Abtwil, Switserland
13.00-14.00	Lunch
14.00-15.30	Examination of imitation instruments
15.30-17.00	Final discussion Chair: R.G.W. Anderson, London, United Kingdom

The registration fee is f 200 (approximately $95), and includes lunches and drinks as well as a copy of the proceedings, which will be edited by Peter de Clercq and published in the series of Museum Boerhaave Communications.

For further details and registration, contact the local organizer:

           Agnes Rappard
           Museum Boerhaave
           Postbox 11280
           2301 EG Leiden
           The Netherlands

           tel. +31 (0)71 5214 224 extension 602
           fax  +31 (0)71 5120 344

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