Kipp's Apparatus Value Guide

Developed by Dutch pharmacist Petrus Jacobus Kipp around 1844, this three-tiered glass apparatus revolutionized laboratory efficiency by providing on-demand gas production. These late 19th and early 20th-century scientific instruments are highly sought after by collectors for their complex hand-blown geometry and historical significance in chemical research.

What Is Kipp's Apparatus Worth?

The typical price range for Kipp's Apparatus is $180 - $200 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the glass, specifically the absence of cracks or chips in the delicate ground-glass joints and stopcocks.
• Completeness of the unit, including the original top stopper and internal delivery tubes which are often lost or broken.
• Clarity and quality of the glass, as well as any manufacturer marks or etched laboratory inventory numbers that provide provenance.
• Size and complexity, with larger or more ornate Dutch-origin examples typically reaching the higher end of the $180-$200 price range.

How to Identify Kipp's Apparatus?

• Look for the signature three-chambered vertical design consisting of a top funnel, a middle bulb, and a bottom reservoir.
• Examine the glass for period-correct characteristics such as slight waviness, seed bubbles, or a faint greenish tint common in 1880-1920 production.
• Check for ground-glass joints and original stopcocks, which were essential for the airtight generation of hydrogen or carbon dioxide.
• Verify the presence of the internal glass tube that connects the uppermost funnel directly to the bottom chamber.

History of Kipp's Apparatus

Developed around 1844 by Dutch pharmacist Petrus Jacobus Kipp, this apparatus revolutionized laboratory gas production. Before its invention, scientists struggled with cumbersome methods to generate gases like hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen. Kipp's ingenious design allowed for on-demand gas production, making experiments more efficient and safer. It became a staple in chemistry labs and educational institutions worldwide for over a century, a testament to its practical brilliance.