Lundy Antique Microscope Collection

The Lundy Antique Microscope Collection
Established and maintained by
Technical Instruments San Francisco

May 2, 2001

Introduction

The Frank Lundy Microscope collection has been examined and placed into an inventory which permits quick and easy access.  The instruments have also been photographed and attached to an inventory number.  Abstracts which include relevant details have been included where the instrument warrants the added attention.  Having this information available will help in better access to the collection and preserve the providence created by the efforts of Technical Instrument.  This collection can now act as a reference in the ongoing research associated with antique microscopes.  This also establishes a record of the collection and aids in recovery and insurance verification.  The microscopes at Technical Instruments include a large number of instruments that are not yet part of this inventory.  These additional microscopes are younger second quarter 20th century and not considered part of the Antique collection.  Most of these later microscopes are so common as not to warrant special consideration. 

The inventory numbering system consists of three digits and one letter.  This allows for future growth as well as the ability to incorporate the inventory into a regular database (which normally begins with three digits).  The alphabetical letter represents the regent from where the instrument was manufactured.  Examples are, “A” represents American, “C” Continental and “E” English.  This allows the user to divide the content into categories normally associated with collecting types.  The collection can be broken down into thirds making access even quicker.  If this inventory is added to a computer database it will make access by type much simpler.  In general the inventory represent the instruments that are 100 years and older.  Descriptions in italic represent the actual signature on the instrument.  If known, the model type is then mentioned along with the date of production.  The overall type is included which indicates whether it’s a compound or simple microscope.  Type of construction is also included when appropriate (examples are the Lister-limb or bar-limb type). 

The abstracts include information of a historical nature and should be helpful to collectors interested in research.  The term abstract is used in reference to the brief summaries associated with the instruments.  The numbering system remains the same as found in the Inventory list.  Instruments in the collection that are somehow related are referenced to each other using the inventory number.  If for example a Bausch & Lomb microscope is described, most of the additional example of B&L are referenced back to this first example.  No attempt has been made to elaborate on every instrument in the collection. 

Sincerely, the curator, James D. Solliday

Lundy Antique Microscope Collection
Abstracts
May 2, 2001

Introduction:
This collection of abstracts is intended to provide additional details on the most important instruments in the Lundy microscope collection.  The term abstract is used in reference to the brief summaries found below which are associated with the instruments.  The numbering system remains the same as found in the Inventory list.  Instruments in the collection that are somehow related are referenced to each other using the inventory number.  Most of the summaries include a bit of history about the makers represented in the collection. 

001E    Andw Ross & Co. 33 Regent St. Piccadilly.  Original Lister type.    

1839
Compound monocular, signed, English Lister-limb.  Andrew Ross was born in 1798 and died on 8 September, 1859.  He established his business in 1830 and became well known for his magnificent telescopes as well as his microscopes.  This particular microscope was one of the firms early examples and was patterned after Lister’s design.  The signature includes the “& Company.” which indicates this stand was made at the time the firm was associated with Mr. Lister.  This association lasted for only a few years (1837-1842).  The absence of a serial number is also of interest as Ross introduced the use of serial numbers in August of 1842.  According to Nuttall this practice began when he moved the factory to the new address at 21 Featherstone Buildings, Holborn (Quek,Vol.33,1979).  It was also at about this time that his business association with Lister seems to have ended.  In 1839, Ross published an article in The Penny Cyclopedia introducing this completely new form of microscope.  Some have attributed the pattern to Jackson but, Jackson himself, said that it was all the work of others (Nelson, RMS,1900).  Turner refers to this design as the first really satisfactory microscope ever to be made (Turner, 1981).  The limb was made in a single casting, supporting the body and stage.  It was attached to the pillar by means of a compass joint.  The body was mounted to the limb by means of a carriage which was moved up and down on a rack that was cut into the back of the limb.  This general design became known as the Lister-limb.  The fine adjustment was provided by a short lever acting on a sprung nosepiece.  Our present microscope is very much like the Penny Cyclopedia model and therefor is easily dated to that period.  This is a very rare and important instrument and adds much to the substance of this collection.  See No.039E.

002E    Smith & Beck, 6 Coleman St. London.  Smith’s Large Best stand.     

c.1856
Compound monocular, signed, English Lister-limb, (rare).  From 1839 to 1846/47, James Smith was located at 50 Ironmonger Row, Old St., LONDON; he was about 50 years of age in 1839 when he established his own independent business.  In 1840, Smith made stand No.22 for Dr. Thomas Hodgkin (Sobel).  Number 41, went to Mr. Lister himself and in 1841, No.43 was sold to the Microscopical Society of London (RMS).  Among the famous English scientists who used Smith & Beck instruments were, Nicol and Goodsir in Edinburgh, Sorby in Sheffield, Henslow at Cambridge and Darwin in Brighton.  In 1846, James Smith took his apprentice, Richard Beck (Lister's nephew) as a partner establishing the firm of Smith & Beck, located at., 6 Coleman Street, London, (Bracegirdle, states date was 1847).  Nuttall states that "in 1847 James Smith's business became Smith and Beck" (JQMC,#36/289).  Richard Beck probable joined the firm in 1846.  Smith did not take on R. Beck as a partner until after the death of Tulley.  In 1851, Joseph Beck joined the firm of Smith & Beck, after his apprenticeship to Troughton & Simms.  He eventually became a partner in 1857 and the name changed to Smith, Beck & Beck.  In 1851, Smith & Beck, issued a "Catalogue of Achromatic Microscopes," from, 6 Coleman St., London (FI/296).  In Jan. 1859, they issued a Catalogue under the name " Smith, Beck & Beck.  See additional inventory numbers, 006E, 019E, 024E and 046E below.

003E    Henry Crouch, No.765.  Student stand.                           

 1870
Compound Wenham binocular, signed, English Lister-limb.  This instrument was originally advertised as the "Premier" Binocular Microscope.  These stands were for the most part imported by James Queen after an attempt by Mr. Crouch to market his instruments through the British Commissioner of the Centennial Exhibition (Philadelphia).  After an impressive showing at the 1876 exhibition Mr. Crouch began to regularly import his microscopes into America and was probably one of the more successful English makers to do so.  This is the same microscope that Mr. W. Carpenter recommended as the best Wenham binocular you could buy for the money.  The instrument rests on a distinctive English foot or as it has come to be known, the "Crouch foot"(No.009E)  The stand could also be obtained with a less expensive reversed bird-claw type foot as is the case in this example (No.003E).  The Wenham binocular tube features a draw tube arrangement that is operated by rack and pinion or a sliding lever.  The stage is normally equipped with a contemporary American type glass plate.  This glass plate with ground dove-tail edges supports a stage clip that is held in place by a twin leaf-spring with ivory tips.  This entire arrangement was most likely added by Queen and not supplied by Crouch.  The lacquer finish was also probably applied at the shop of James Queen as the Crouch microscopes sold in England featured a much brighter gloss finish.  The course focus is by rack and pinion and the fine adjustment is by a short lever screw that acts on a spring loaded nose-pieces.  The overall condition is quite good.  See No.009E below.

004E    Charles Collins.  First Class 

  c.1865
Compound Wenham binocular, signed, English bar-limb.  In 1863, Charles Collins established his firm at, 77 Great Titchfield St. London.  He became a well known manufacturer of microscopes and accessories.  In the mid 1870's he moved to 157 Great Portland St.  Some stands were signed, C. Collins Optician, 157 Gr. Portland St. London.  Microscopes were made until around 1900, the firm continued until about 1925.  In 1878, Charles Collins, put out a wonderful catalogue illustrating a wide range of instruments entitled: Guide to the Purchase of Microscopes, And the varied Apparatus required in the Study of the same. 

005E    Robinson, 65 Grafton St. Dublin.  James Robinson (worked 1845-1884) 

  c.1868
Compound Wenham binocular, signed, English bar-limb (probably made by C. Baker).

006E    R & J Beck, London & Philadelphia, No.9407.  Beck’s Small First Class. 

1880
Compound Wenham binocular, signed, English Lister-limb with graduated stage.  R& J Beck was one of the most important importers of microscope to America.  They had at least four or five agents in this country form Chicago to New York.  Probably their biggest importer was James W. Queen of Philadelphia who issued a number of large Beck catalogues.  See item No.002E above.

007A   Tolles, Boston Optical Works.  Robert Tolles Student stand.

c.1880
Compound monocular, signed, American, (rare).  Tolles Student Microscope, a product of The Boston Optical Works, Charles Stodder, Rialto, Room 36, 131 Devonshire, Corner of Mild Street, Boston.  The Tolles Student stand came in a variety of configurations.  This included Rack & Pinion coarse adjustment or slip tube focus.  There was also a choice of short lever fine movement, a stage plate with adjustment screw or in this case a nosepiece helical screw.  The base, uprights and curved arm are all of iron and painted black (japanned).  It rests on trunnions which feature dual knurling knobs which control tension and compensate for wear.  It can be inclined to any convenient position.  Robert Tolles moved to Boston in 1867, establishing The Boston Optical Works in partnership with several Boston investors and Mr. Charles Stodder.  Tolles was to be superintendent of the firm.  This arrangement lasted for only four years when Tolles then assumed permanent control.  The overall condition of this stand is very good. 

008A   W. Bulloch.  The Biological No.2 stand.

  c.1881
Compound Wenham binocular, signed, American, (rare).  Walter H. Bulloch was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1835, emigrated to New York City in 1851, becoming a tailor but quickly changing careers to instrument maker for Benjamin Pike and Son (see Padgitt).  Following the Civil War he set up in Chicago to become, apparently, the first microscope maker west of Philadelphia.  His great strength lay in his innovative, finely executed mechanical design.  Bulloch died on Nov 5, 1891.  The overall condition of this microscope is very good.

009E    H. Crouch, No.1585.  Henry Crouch (this example having the Crouch foot).

c.1876
Compound Wenham binocular, signed, English Lister-limb type.  See No.003E above.

010A   E.H. & F.H. Tighe, Detroit, Mich.  Tighe No.5, Continental type.

c.1896
Compound monocular, signed, American.  Edward & Frederick Tighe of Detroit produced microscopes for the American market just before the turn of the century.  The firm was first listed in the Detroit City Directories in 1891 and again in 1895, however, Frederick first appeared as an optician in 1890 and Edward in 1891.  The total working period of the Tighe firm is known to have been from 1891 to about 1902.  The two brothers were born in Canada to Irish parents who had moved to the Detroit area in the early 1870s.  The lenses were made and factored in by Gundlach, however, the instruments themselves may also have been by Gundlach.  It is confirmed that the Tighe pattern of microscope was made and sold into the 20th century by the Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co. (See item No.045A and 060A, below).  This happened sometime after the Tighe brothers were no longer in the business.  The Tighe pattern was also sold widely through the Sears Catalogue (1902).  Finally, the Bausch & Lomb Library microscope has been found sold with the Tighe signature (see item No.068A below).

011A   Bausch & Lomb.  B&L Universal Chemical stand.

c.1890
Compound monocular, signed, American.  This is an example of the B&L Universal Model, No.545 (See 1899 Cat).  There are two patent dates engraved on the arm, PAT. Oct. 3, 1876 and PAT. Oct. 13, 1885.  This model was designed after the general construction of the Investigator.  The manufacture describes this instrument as "Universal" in its application to all microscopic work (in this case a chemical stand).  The base is of the tripod form and made of brass.  The limb rests on a large brass pillar having a cradle joint at the top allowing inclination of the body.  The coarse adjustment is by rack and pinion and the fine by micrometer screw acting on a patented frictionless motion (Gundlach).  The main tube holds two draw-tubes, moving within a smooth cloth lining.  This allows a very large range of adjustment. Each draw-tube has an internal society thread along with the final external nosepiece thread.  The stage has concentric, revolving motion with removable clips having its upper surface in the same plane as the diagonal movement of the mirror-bar.  The mirror and substage bars move independent of one another or together.  The circular bearings attached to the substage bars are graduated into degrees and silvered for contrast.  Mounted under the stage are two circular nuts that receive a steel pin allowing for the centering of the stage (pin-nuts).  In the closed position the instrument stands 13 inches tall, extended it stands over 22 inches high.  Note: During the 1890's B&L manufactured three classes of objectives, the Student Series, the Professional Series and the First Class Series.  This is a very nice and well made microscope.  See No.029A.

012C   Leeuwenhoek reproduction (brass).
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, born in Delft, Holland Oct 24, 1632, died Aug 23, 1723.  Lived 91 years.  He made 247 microscopes and 172 lenses (Leyden museum pub).  The father of bacteriology and protozoology.  According to Star he produced 550 microscopes (DR).  In 1673, Leeuwenhoek began sending his letters to the Royal Society, first publication (1673).  He sent over 200 letters to the Society (1673-1722) with over 130 published, most in the Philosophical Transactions.  According to Ruestow (1996), translated extracts of 116 letters from Leewenhoek eventually apperared in the Philosophical Transactions with at least another 6 published in the Dutch Journal, De Boekzaal van Europe (DR/150).

013E    W & S. Jones.  Universal botanical microscope (Martin type).

c.1800
Simple microscope with hard wood base, signed, English,(rare).  The year of 1776 was the Establishment of John Jones, the father of W&S Jones, he was located at 135 Holborn, London (Clifton).  John Jones appears in the 1784 Directory as established at 135 Holborn, London.  According to Clifton he was active from 1759 to 1784 and was known as Jones of Holborn.  He became a member of Fishmongers and Spectaclemakers.  William Jones (his son) began work before 1787 becoming a partner and creating the name of John Jones & Son.  For a very short time it was John Jones & Sons and finally in 1791 it became W&S Jones at 135 Holborn, next Furnival's Inn, London.  By 1800 they were at 30 Holborn (Clifton).  Samuel Jones (younger son) entered the business in ca.1791, but the name may have been officially change to W&S Jones in 1793 (Clay & Court,/248).  The firm of W&S Jones continued from 1791 to 1859 (Clifton).  According to Clay & Court the firm was known as John Jones & Sons, until 1793 (CC).  Other accounts give the date of 1791 and 1792 for the establishment of W&S Jones.  William Jones was a pupil of Benjamin Martin and specialized in the making of Orrery's.  In 1798 the firm bought up the stock and copyrights of George Adams Jr., with whom W. Jones had at one time worked.  They published a 2nd edition of George Adams Jr.'s book, Essays on the Microscope (1798).  They also re-published Benj. Martin's "Description and Use of a Pocket Case of Mathematical Inst."  Their business was for the most part wholesale, by 1838 William had died (Taylor,1966), Samual died in 1859 (Clifton).

014E    Withering botanical, brass type.

c.1798
Simple microscope, English, probably made by W & S. Jones (as it has the red leather case).  William Withering, went to Edinburgh to study medicine under William Cullen, who was Professor of Medical Chemistry.  Withering finished his training in medicine and botany in 1766.  In 1785 he published “An Account of the Foxglove and Some of its Medical Uses,” in which he introduced the use of digitalis as a treatment for “dropsy”.  In the course of history this work established him as the father of experimental pharmacology.  In 1776, he published “A Botanical Arrangement of all the Vegetables naturally growing in Great Britain.”  In this work he promoted his design of a small, pocket microscope of brass to aid in plant study.  This same little microscope was also described by George Adams in his 1787 (Essays on the Microscope).  This little instrument became very popular and was made well into the Nineteenth Century by many of the instrument makers of the time.  In the original the top plate was circular but later was eliminated and a bar substituted onto which a set of simple lenses could be stacked.  Small dissecting tools were housed between the center and bottom plates, so that lifting the middle plate would allow the tools to be freed from the bottom.  Sometime before his death in 1799, he designed a second, simple microscope that folded into a flat wooden case that fit a bit easier into the pocket.  These small Withering type instruments are very desirable and often sell for surprising sums of money.

015E    Dollond, London.  Cuff type double microscope.

c.1764
Compound monocular, signed, English side-pillar, (rare).  Most of the Dollond double microscopes were very likely made by Cuff himself and factored to Dollond for resale.  This is an example of the John Cuff Double Microscope of the 1744 design.  On September 20, 1744 a pamphlet describing this instrument was published by Cuff.  The design was inspired by Henry Baker as he was not satisfied with the Culpeper type instrument in common use at the time.  The microscope sits on a fine box-foot with a built-in accessory drawer having all the usual accessories.  The main construction of the limb is of two parallel pillars, one supporting the stage and the other the arm that holds the body tube.  This design also featured an improved (Hevelius) parallel fine focus screw.  The stage is fixed to the non movable pillar and has the cruciform shape typical of the period.  The overall condition of the instrument is very good.  See No.027E, below.

016C   French Student microscope 

c.1860
Compound monocular, French, mounted on ball-joint for inclining the limb.

017C   French Student microscope.

c.1890
Compound monocular, French, side-pillar type.

018C   E. Leitz, No.78483.  Leitz stand 1b, continental type.

1905
Compound monocular, German continental, signed.

019E    Smith Beck & Beck, 31 Cornhill, London.  Large Best stand.

c.1867
Compound Wenham binocular, sigend, English Lister-limb, (rare).  See No.002E above.  They were located at the address of 31 Cornhill from 1865 to 1880.

020E    English Drum microscope.  Martin type drum. 

c.1860
Compound monocular, English, in storage case.

021E    Bithray, Royal Exchange, London.  Cary type (mounted on the box).

c.1840
Compound monocular, English, signed, probably made by Cary of London.

022E    Cary, London.  Small box mounted Gould design.

c.1837
Compound monocular, signed, English, (rare), cylindrical body tube (not conical).  William Cary began as an apprentice to Jesse Ramsden.  Cary became a very popular London instrument maker with many of his microscopes surviving to this day.  Established himself in business in 1789 at 272 Strand, London (Clifton, pp.51).  His older brother, John Cary, was a engraver, map-seller and globe maker.  In addition to running their own individual firms, William and John seemed to have acted as partners working next door to each other before the turn of the century (1792-1820).  Clifton states that J&W Cary worked in partnership on some projects while maintaining separate businesses (Clifton, pp.51).  After a fire in 1820, they apparently continued as partners at the 86 St.James St. address.  By 1821, William's nephews also worked in the shop at St.James St. (Taylor, pp.385).  By late 1821, William was established at 181 Strand, London, his two nephews now also working out of this shop ultimately taking control of the business after his death in 1825.  One of his employees, Charles Gould eventually designed his well known Gould (pocket) microscope.  William's business continued until at least 1891-94. According to Clifton, by 1853, Henry Gould was successor to the William Cary business at the 181 Strand address.  However, the name William Cary continued to appear in the directories along with the name Gould (Clifton, pp.51).  It seems that Gould designed and manufactured the optical items, at least until the death of George & John Cary (the nephews).  Henry Gould was the son of Charles Gould who was originally employed by William Cary himself (Taylor/386).  Curiously, Henry Porter issued a trade card about 1859 under the name of W. Cary.  It read, Henry Porter, Successor to and former apprentice of the late W. Cary, at 181 Strand, London.  After 1891-94, Henry Porter operated the firm as Cary & Co. at, 7 Pall Mall, London.  At the turn of the century it was known as Cary, Porter & Co. (BB/21).  See No.026E, below.

023E    J.H. Steward, 406 Strand, London.  Society of Arts type. 

c.1870
Compound monocular, signed, English bar-limb, (common).  Society of the Arts Microscope, first made by Field of Birmingham.  This design won the Societies first prize for best microscope for the limited price of three shillings.

024E    R & J. Beck, No.6828.  Large binocular dissecting microscope on boom stand.

1872
Compound Wenham binocular, English, signed (very rare), base is a replacement.  See item No.002E, above.

025A   Bausch & Lomb, Rochester N.Y.  The Investigator model. 

c.1882
Compound monocular, signed, American.  In the Bausch & Lomb Microscope Catalogue of 1889 the Investigator was listed as Item No.540.  Bausch & Lomb considered it the pioneer of modern American microscopes.  The Investigator first appeared in an advertisement in The American Journal of Microscopy, Vol.V, No.II, of November 1880.  It was proclaimed to be of a highest degree of perfection and better than any other microscope in its price range.  The instrument stands eleven inches high, but can be extended up to eighteen inches.  The base is made of brass and is of the tripod type.  The support pillar terminates at a cradle joint which allows full inclination for the tubular limb.  The coarse rack and pinion is supported by the patented frictionless fine adjustment first introduced by Gundlach (1876 patent).  There are two parallel steel blades or springs that support the entire body and are fastened to the inside back of the case.  This case connects the tube-limb to the body-tube.  The other end of these blades are connected to the arm which carries the rack and pinion.  The micrometer screw presses against this arm or lever that projects into the tube-limb, the whole lever mechanism having a "T" shape.  The parallel steel blades provide an upward tension on the projecting arm which continually presses against the micrometer screw.  See illustration on page two of the B&L Catalogue of 1889.  The body contains two nickeled draw tubes.  Both draw tubes are arranged with a cloth lining and permit the use of an amplifier in either combination.  When the Investigator was introduced the double draw tube was a new feature which was considered an important improvement.  The circular stage has a concentric revolving motion, with removable clips.  It was made quite thin so as to allow for oblique illumination from the adjustable substage condenser and mirror.  The substage tailpiece swings from a single bearing point to any degree of obliquity.  This includes points above the stage for the illumination of opaque objects.  The mirror is attached to a second bar which permits a separate motion in relationship to the substage.  The mirror is also attached to a slide which allows it to be adjusted up and down in relation to the stage.  This assures that the focal point of the double sided mirror is properly adjusted upon the object.  Engraved on the arm is the paten dates of Oct 3. 1876.. 

026E    Cary type.  Free standing Cary with storage case. 

c.1840
Compound monocular, English, conical type body-tube.  See No.022E, above.

027E    Dollond, London.  Large Culpeper type with pyramid case.

c.1802
Compound monocular, signed, English, (rare).  Peter Dollond, London instrument maker who worked with his father John Dollond.  According to Clifton his date of birth was 1731 (CL/87).  Peter the eldest son of John Dollond developed an interest in optics from his father.  Peter set up an optical shop on his own, John (his father), after witnessing his son's success joined the business at the age of 46 (Rudd/4,1998).  The firm stayed in the Dollond family until the 1870s and continued into the 20th Century.  John (the father) abandoned his trade as a silk weaver and joined his son.  Peter died in 1820, and the business continued under George Huggins, a nephew who changed his surname to Dollond.  In the 1830s' Dollond was making, or retailing, sundials, magnetic compasses, theodolites, and eyeglasses.  Dollond & Co. amalgamated in 1927 with Aitchison & Co. to form Dollond & Aitchison, which continues to make eyeglasses to the present day (Christie's Cat, 4/9/97).  John Dollond was first to paten the achromatic lens for the telescope.  In 1757, he carried out his experiment which he described in his, Account of some experiments concerning the Refrangibility of Light (D/154).  Dollond’s achromat required a combination of concave flintglass (strong dispersion) with a convex crown glass (weak dispersion).  The focal lengths were approximately in the ratio of 2: 3 (D/154).  In 1758, John Dollond commercially constructed his achromatic telescope objective.  For his experiments and development of the achromatic lens, the Royal Society gave him the prestigious Copley Medal and elected him a fellow (Rudd/5).  In 1761, John Dollond was appointed optician to the King, but enjoyed this honor for less than one year before he died (Rudd/6).  The Dollond firm was also the first to make a system of focus using two cylindrical tubes one within the other focused by pinion engaging a rack in a longitudinal cut or opening (D/167).  This focusing system is often found on the Culpeper type microscopes.  In 1764, John Dollond, issued a pamphlet describing "The Aquatic Microscope as Improved by John Ellis F.R.S."  The instrument was mounted on its storage box and came with a screw-barrel (F/113) (see inventory No.038E, below).  Also see No.015E, above.

028E    Swift & Son, 81 Tottenham Cort.  Stephenson binocular.

c.1882
Compound binocular (Stephenson type), signed, English, (very rare).  In 1870, J.W. Stephenson's introduced his erecting binocular system, a re-introduction of Riddell's (1851) prism system (MMJ,IV,1870/61) (LM/121).  He used two special prisms to divided the image produced by the objective.  The design was manufactured by most of the London makers including Ross, Browning, Baker and especially Swift & Sons who made Stephenson's system until 1939.  In 1877, Abbe's Theory of Microscopical Vision was brought before the Royal Microscopical Society by the Treasurer, Mr. J.W. Stephenson in Jan 1877 (MMJ,77/82).  This was confirmed by Prof. Martin Duncan in an address before the Society on Feb. 8, 1882 (The Northern Microscopist, Vol.2,82/274). 

029A   Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, N.Y.   B&L Universal microscope.

c.1890
Compound monocular, signed, American, see No.011A above for description.

030E    Andrew Pritchard, 162 Fleet Street, London.  Up-right on “T” foot, with case.

c.1852
Compound monocular, signed, English, (very rare).  Pritchard worked from 1827-1854.  Andrew Pritchard was born in 1804, he became a well known London microscope & slide maker, also an author.  Before going into business for himself, Pritchard worked with his uncle, Cornelius Varley.  There seems to have been an early business associated with Hugh Powell as both Pritchard and Varley utilized his service in the development and production of microscope stands.  Pritchard along with Dr. Goring devoted much time to the development of Jewel lenses.  Both of them also collaborated on the publication of a number of books.  The most famous of his publications was The Microscopic Cabinet (1832).  One of Pritchard's most important contributions to microscopy was the popularization of the use of canada balsam.  He was also one of the earliest makers to provide a large selection of professionally prepared microscopic objects.  In 1825, Pritchard became one of the first individuals in England to import C. Chevaleir's early achromatic objectives (MA/1164).  In 1827, Pritchard was established at 18 Picket Street, Strand, London.  In 1839, he moved to 162 Fleet Street, London.  In about 1852, Andrew Pritchard retired, he lived until 1882.

031A   Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, N.Y.  The Model microscope (black & brass).

c.1890
Compound monocular, signed, American.  The new "Model Microscope".  The instrument stands on a Y shaped tripod foot supporting two cylindrical upright pillars.  The pillars are attached to the limb which pivots at that point.  The fine focus screw is positioned towards the top of the curved limb and operates an internally mounted spring lever system.  The coarse focus is by rack and pinion.  The nicely finished round brass stage is attached to the base of the limb.  On the top of the case that houses the lever are the Patten dates of Oct 3, 1876 and Oct 13, 1885. 

032C   Seibert in Wetzlar.  Polarizing microscope, upright.

c.1897
Compound monocular, signed, German, (rare), also signed with U. of Cal, Ge.6.  By 1884, they were known as W&H Seibert (Wilhelm & Heinrich).  There were six bothers in the Seibert family.  In 1854, Wilhelm became an apprentice in his uncles business then known as Carl Kellner’s Mechanical-Optical Institute.  Wilhelm began in the optical shop, with the promises he would later be trained in the mechanical shop.  In 1856, his brother Heinrich was also taken into the workshop, by that time operated by Fritz Belthle (Who married Kellner’s widow, Maria).  The war with Prussia (1866) ended his employment.  Finding himself without work he decided to try his hand at starting his own business.  Having trouble getting financing he began the process of making his own lathe.  On October 1, 1867 the two brothers began making microscopes.  Progress was difficult as times were indeed quite hard.  In the mean time Ernst Gundlach had returned from England setting up his own business in Berlin.  He quickly acquired a good reputation making microscopes in the English style.  One of the features he brought back from England was the parallelogramme-fine focus mechanism.  By 1867-8, the Seibert brothers were again working for Gundlach manufacturing lenses as well as mechanical microscope parts from tubes and castings sent from Berlin.  However, it seems Gundlach attempted to expand his business to quickly and began paying bills with drafts until his financial problems were overwhelming.  At the time Gundlach had 20 workers whom had not been paid for some time causing his creditors to react by cracking down.  By 1872 Wilhelm and Heinrich Seibert had to stop working for Gunhdlach.  In August of 1872 the bailiff closed Gundlach’s shop.  Most of Gundlach’s debt was past to Georg Krafft a business man in Wetzlar.  He could have required the Seibert brothers to cover the drafts, but instead he came to an agreement with them establishing a partnership which gave him 20% of the gross income.  The new partner also became the accountant establishing the firm of Seibert & Krafft.  Gundlach was now in debt and without a working business.  He worked out his affairs and arrange the sale of his enterprise to the Seibert brothers and Mr. Krafft.  Much of this new companies operations were now in Berlin where Gundlach had worked.  However, with the financial difficulties they quickly moved back to Wetzlar.  The move itself took place in September of 1873, seven of the Berlin employees came along, the others were given notice.  The year of 1873 also represented the production of the firms 1000th microscope.  In 1883, their 12 page catalogue entitled “Katalog der Mikroskope, mikroskopischen und mikrophotographischen Objektive & Apparate” listed a good range of microscopes and accessories, including very good oil immersion objectives. Some objectives were specially designed for photomicrography. In 1887 Seibert succeeded in manufacturing apochromats and compensating eyepieces, computed by Abbe the year before.  After a number of successful years the contract with Krafft did not allow the Seibert brothers any degree of financial freedom.  By 1884 they finally succeeded in buying out Mr. Krafft which resulted in an amicable separation.  They now became known as simply W. & H. Seibert, Wetzlar.  The year of 1900 saw the introduction of the fluorite objectives and the production of the 10,000th microscope, by 1907 the number was 100,000.  By 1918, W & H Seibert employed 75 workers, at a time when Hensoldt had 450 and Lietz 1102.  By the time of Hienrich’s death in 1907 the firm was still making instruments by the traditional piece work production method.  Most of their competition had switched to series production-line methods with division of labor associated with the work force.  Not surprisingly it became more difficult for them to compete with the more modern firms.  As a result a close cooperation with Ernst Leitz developed in 1917 which led to much control of W & H Seibert by the Leitz people.  Wilhelm died in 1925 at the age of 85 after having received an honorary doctor’s degree in 1922.  His son Heinrich Seibert continued to manage the company until his death in 1931.  The W & H Seibert, Optisches Institut, was still listed in the trade directory of Wetzlar in 1938.  By this time they were for the most part absorbed by E. Leitz.

033E    English bar-limb, with short lever fine adjustment.

c.1860
Compound monocular, English, (common).

034C   French trunnion microscope.  English foot with continental body. 

c.1860
Compound monocular, French Import, x-y micrometer stags, mounted on trunnions.

035E    English Drum.  Martin type drum in storage case.

c.1865
Compound monocular, English, (common), draw-tube focus.

036E    Field’s simple microscope.  Known as the Chile’s Microscope (Queen Cat).

c.1860
Simple microscope, English, Society of Arts single type, (common).

037C   Small, Boys Drum microscope.  Stored in small mahogany case.

c.1900
Compound monocular, French Import, (very common).

038E    Aquatic Microscope.  Ellis Aquatic type, stored in black fish-shin case.

c.1770
Simple microscope, English botanical, (very rare).  This design was originally suggested by John Ellis and the first form was constructed by John Cuff in 1754.  Ellis used his instrument during his famous study of the corrals.  Dollond began making this type of instrument in 1764 (see No.027E, above).

039E    A. Ross, London.  Dissecting microscope stored in small hardwood case. 

c.1868
Simple dissecting, English, signed, (rare).  See item No.001E, above.

040E    Cooke, York.  Thomas Cooke, 26 Coney St. York.  Large Lister limb.

1862

Compound monocular, signed, English Lister-limb, (rare), worked 1834-1868.  In 1868, Thomas Cooke & Sons, issued a catalogue from, 31 Southampton St. Strand, London.  Location of the Factory: Buckingham Works, York, England.

041E    R.B. Bate, London.  Robert Brettell Bate, 17 Poultry, London.  Colpeper type.

1820
Compound monocular, English Colpeper, signed, (replacement base).

042E    Horne & Thornthwaite (Attributed too).  On a bird claw tripod foot.

c.1870
Compound Wenham binocular, unsigned, English, Large Lister Limb.  In 1845, Horne Thornthwaite and Wood took over the business of Edward Palmer who was in business from 1828-1845, at 103 Newgate St. London.  Horne, Thornthwaite and Wood moved the business to 123 Newgate St., where they remained until 1851.  The company expanded and took over 121 Newgate in 1851 and by the 1860s were at 124, 122 & 123 Northgate Street London (from the signature on a microscope).  Also, about 1860 was the year the firm operated only under the name of Horne & Thornthwaite.  In 1886 they moved to The Strand No.416.  In 1888 they opened another location at Cheapside and ran both locations before going out of business in 1893 (hborough).  This stand has a unique and elegant design much like the microscopes of very early Watson’s and those of Highley.

043E    Swift & Son, No.357.  Portable microscope with folding foot.

c.1896
Compound monocular, signed, English.  In 1853, James Powell Swift, established his business at 15 Kingsland Rd. London, N.E.  Swift had apprenticed for Andrew Ross, early catalogues state, "Formerly with Mr. Andrew Ross."  In 1872 he was located at 43 University Street, off Tottenham Court Rd.  In 1881 he could be found at 81 Tottenham Court Road, London W, and was referred to as the University Optical works.  The 1878 Catalogue was printed under the name of James Swift & Son, this partnership beginning in 1877.  Catalogues were issued until at least 1928 (FI/312).  J. Swift became a member of the R.M.S. on Dec 8, 1880.  His son’s name was James Mansell Swift and he became a member in 1906.  James Swift Sr. died in 1906.  Hartley says he was established in 1853 (LM/45), Catalogues also states, 1853.  Bracegirdle states 1854 (BB/72) and Nuttall says he left Ross in 1857 (Nuttall, 1973/34).  The correct date seems to be 1853.  By the end of the 19th century the firm was best known for their petrological microscopes.  J Swift also had a brother named Edward who made objectives for the trade.

044C   C. Reichert, Wien.  Portable with parallel arm fine adjustment.

c.1896
Compound monocular, signed, Austrian, stored in fitted hardwood case.  In the early 1870s Carl Reichert joined the firm of Ernst Leitz.  He was a co-worker and later partner of Ernst Leitz in Wetzlar.  In 1874 he married the sister of Frau Leitz .  In 1876 he established his own business in the City of Vienna.  In 1878 one of Reichert's stands won the Grand prix d'Or at the Paris International Exhibition.  About 1881 his first wife died and he then married her sister (Minna) having four children.  Carl Reichert died in 1922, leaving two of his remaining sons in charge of the firm (Karl & Otto).

045A   Gundlach Optical Co. Rochester N.Y.  Gundlach Physicians, No.1.

c.1896
Compound monocular, signed, American (rare).  This is Mr. Gundlach's best first class microscope and was probably one of the last products of the business he set up on his own in 1884.  The address as found in his advertisements of the late 1880's was at: 45 Stone St., Cor. Ely St., Rochester, N.Y.  By the early 1890's the address of the business had changed to., 761, 763 and 765 South Clinton Street., Rochester, N.Y.  He was listed as a manufacturer of Optical instruments.  By the year 1893 the business was managed by three partners who's names were listed as, Henry H. Turner, John Zellweger and John C. Reich, Ernst Gundlach continued with the firm as consulting optician.  Just after the turn of the century the firm had become known as the Gundlach Manhattan Optical Company and the microscopes produced under that name were not much influenced by Mr. Gundlach.  It is known that the Gundlach Manhattan Optical Company provided stands and lenses for the Frank S. Betz Co.  Betz signed all the stands he factored in with his own name thus causing a bit of confusion.  In the eighth edition of the Gundlach Optical Co. catalogue (1893) the present stand is illustrated as the Physicians Microscope, No.1.  This instrument was produced in two styles.  The first which was designated as No.1, had a japanned iron base, while the No.2 was of bronze throughout.  With the exception of the base the two stands were the same.  The overal appearance of this instrument resembles that of the Bausch & Lomb Universal microscope "stand J" which was in circulation at the time (No.545) (see inventory No.011A & 029A, above).  It should be remembered that Mr. Gundlach helped establish the B&L microscope division.  Even more similar is a microscope supposedly produces by Herbert Spencer of Spencer and Smith Opt Co, in the early 1880's.  An example of this microscope can be found in "Three American Microscope Builders."  It is conceivable that Gundlach supplied Spencer with this stand or vis-versa.  However, all of Spencer's advertisements of the time mention only the production of fine objectives and not the availability of such a substantial first class stand.  An illustration of Gundlach's predecessor to this microscope can be seen in an add in Volume II, of "The Microscope" (1882).  At that time Gundlach was still in partnership with Mr L.R. Sexton of 29 Stone St. Rochester N.Y.  The present microscope rests on a japanned horse-show base having a pillar that supports a cradle joint allowing the inclination of the body.  The draw tube works in cloth and on the opposite end you find a society thread to which an amplifier can be attached.  The rack and pinion are of the diagonal pattern, while the fine adjustment is by means of a micrometer screw.  This screw is located at the top of the tube limb similar to other pre-continental stands of the time.  There is a large polished circular stage above a sub-stage condenser sleeve attached to a graduated swinging tailpiece.  The substage is movable and the mirror (missing) can be used above the stage for opaque illumination, the axis of motion being in the plane of the stage.  Mr. Gundlach also provided the option of a rotating glass stage.  This is one of the rarest American microscopes as Gundlach tended to concentrate on the making of lenses and did not devote much time to the stands them selves.  The overall condition is very good. 

046E    Smith & Beck, No.1491.  The Educational model, mounted on wood base.

1857
Compound monocular, sigend, English, known as the bread box microscope.  An example of this microscope was purchased and used by Charles Darwin’s son.  This model was introduced in 1855 as The Beck "Educational Microscope" and was stored in what became known as the bread box storage case (Beck 1864 Cat.).  See No.002E, above

047A   Bausch & Lomb, Rochester N.Y. No.19524.  B&L CD model.

1896
Compound monocular, American, signed, completely nickel-plated.

048C   Albert Wagner of Wien (attributed to).  Ball socket inclination joint.

  c.1870
Compound monocular, Continental, sold in the USA by James Queen (imported).

049C   Hartnack Student (attributed to).  E. Hartnack, 21 place, Dauphin, Paris.

c.1869
Compound monocular, Continental, worked at this location from 1847-1870.

050C   E. Leitz, No.141817.  Leitz petrographic microscope.

1911
Compound monocular, German, signed.

051E    John Browning, 63 Strand, London.  Spectroscopic eyepiece, all brass.

c.1880

052A   Bausch & Lomb, Rochester N.Y.  B&L No.40, pocket microscope.

  c.1926
Compound monocular, American, signed, portable, fits into cloth rapped case.

053E    Withering type.  Small brass botanical.

c.1793
Simple microscope, English, (rare).  See No.014E above.

054E    Botanical with ebony handle.  Stored in small black leather case.

c.1820
Simple microscope, English.

055E    Compass botanical microscope.  Stored in small black leather case.

c.1800
Simple microscope, English.

056E    Improved Compound Microscope, Achromatic by Carpenter & Westley, 24 Regent St.
London.  Compound monocular, English, Carpenter type, stored in large case.  c.1840
In 1808, Philip Carpenter opened a factory in Birmingham, at Inge St.  From 1815-22 he was at Bath Row, and by 1835 the factory was located at 111 New St., Birmingham (Clifton, pp.50).  In 1826, Philip Carpenter opened his shop at 24 Regent St. London., 4 doors from Piccadilly.  He set up a public gallery for the display and sale of microscopes calling it The Microcosm (The Microscopium)(LM/28), Hartley says the date of establishment was 1827.  His trade card uses the word "Microcosm.”  P. Carpenter made Brewster's patent Kaleidoscope (Clifton, pp.50).  In 1838, the address remained as 24 Regent St, Waterloo Place, London.  By then the business was run by Mary & William as Carpenter & Westley.  In 1833, Philip Carpenter had died.  The business continued under his sister (Mary) until 1837 when she joined in partnership with William Westley by marriage, William had worked for Philip C.  The name changed to Carpenter & Westley.  However, by the 1840’s much of their stock was obtained from Negretti & Zambra.

057A   Bausch & Lomb, Rochester N.Y. No.42269.  B&L AB model. 

1903
Compound monocular, American, signed, nickel finish.

058C   Radiguet & Massiol, Opticiens, 15 Bd, des Filles du, Calvaire, Paris. 

c.1889
Compound monocular, French, signed, continental type with Varley stage.

059A   Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, N.Y.  Physicians microscope first form.

1876
Compound monocular, American, (very rare), painted black, Gundlach objective.

060A   Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co.  Associated with the Tighe microscopes.

1904
Compound monocular, American, signed.  See No.010A above.

061A   E.H. & F.H. Tighe, Detroit, Mich.  The Tighe No.5,

1900
Continental monocular, signed, American, all brass.  See No.010A, 045A & 060A.

062C   C. Reichert, Wien.  Haemometer, stored in its own case.

1892
The Fleischl Haemometer, used for the estimation of the amount of haemaglobin in the blood.  This instrument was soled in America by James W. Queen & Co. of Philadelphia, sole agents for Reichert (The Microscopical bulletin and Science News, Dec, 1892).

063E    Microscope lamp, attributed to Collins. 

c.1880

064C   Atlanta, Berlin, No.1102.  Continental type with Zeiss objectives.

c.1914
Compound monocular, German, signed.

065E    C. Baker, 244 High Holborn, London.  Baker No.3 Student model.

1855
Compound monocular, signed, English student, (early form).  Little is known about the conditions under which Charles Baker acquired the business at No.244 High Holborn.  What we can be sure of is that by 1855 Baker was offering a substantial line of his own compound achromatic microscopes.  By the time he published the 1855 catalogue the customer had a choice of six new microscope made by Baker himself.  The large No.1 was patterned after the Ross bar-limb, but the No.3 was listed as his Student’s Microscope and also appeared in Hogg’s second edition (1856).  The design of the No.3 differed from the bar-limb in that the coarse adjustment was provided by rack and pinion working directly on the body tube.  The limb was still mounted to the uprights on trunnions and rested on the usual Ross type “Y” foot.  The design was really a combination of European and English features.  It was obtainable in a number of configurations, including with or without the fine adjustment.  At the time this was probably the nicest microscope on the market for the money.  Its design and workmanship were substantially better then the typical Society of Arts microscope costing just a few pounds less (see No.023E, above).

066C   E. Leitz, Minor.  Pocket microscope with polarization attachments.

c.1926
Compound monocular, German, signed, (rare).  Stored in leather case.

067E    James White, Glasgow.  J. White, 14 Renfield St. Glasgow (worked 1850-1900).

c.1853
Compound monocular, signed, Scottish Lister-limb (rare), associated with Lord Kelvin. This microscope stands about 14 inches tall and is of the Lister-limb type.  The tube length is a short 7 1/2 inches and has no draw-tube.  Course focus is by rack and pinion while the fine adjustment is actuated by a rather long screw working on a direct short stem attached to a spring nose piece.  As for the history of James White, he was born in 1824 in Port Ellen.  In 1838 he was apprenticed to Gardner & Co. Glasgow.  He set up his own independen business in 1850 at the age of 25.  His first shop was at 24 Renfield St, from 1850 to 1852, then at 14 Renfield St, from 1853 to 1856.  He went into partnership with John Haddin Barr in 1857 at still a different address of 1 Renfield St, and 60 Gorden St.  In 1860 he again was independent and soon went bankrupt during the year of 1861.  In 1864 to 1868 he worked at 95 Buchganan St, and from 1869 to 1875 at 78 Union St.  From 1876 to 1883 he was at 241 Sanchiehall St, and from 1884 to 1890 at 16, 18, and 20 Cambridge St.  In 1900 the firm became Kelvin and James White Ltd.  James White became well known for the manufacture of Prof. William Thomson's electrical instruments.  In 1892 W. Thomson also became known as Baron Kelvin of Large, and still later as Lord Kelvin.  It was Prof. Thomson who suggested that James White start his own Optical and Philosophical instrument making business back in 1850.  In 1884 James White died and the business was continued by Mr. Matthew Edwards and David Reid, both of who were long time employees.  It seems that James White continued to make microscopes throughout the life of his business despite the fact that by 1854 his association with Pro. Thomson began his pioneering of electrometers and electrical balances.  This association served to establish Thomson's international reputation and also brought White's workshop into great prominence.  As a result very few microscopes were ever made by this firm and those that have survived are quite rare.  The basic style of this present microscopes design was for the most part retained for almost 20 years.  There is an example of a similar Lister-limb type microscope in the Royal Museum of Scotland, and can be found illustrated on page 272 of the book "Brass and Glass"(1989) by. T.N. Clarke, et al. 

068A   E.H. & F.H. Tighe, Opticians, Detroit, Mich.  Library microscope.

c.1899
Compound monocular, American, signed, made by Bausch & Lomb.  See No.010A.

069C   E. Leitz, No.44760.  Unusual student type.

c.1897
Compound monocular, German, signed.

070C   German Continental type (maker unknown)

c.1909
Compound monocular, German, unsigned.

071C   German Continental type, (maker unknown)

  c.1926
Compound monocular, German, unsigned.

072C   E. Leitz, No.543464.  Leitz trichinascope 

  1957
Compound monocular, German, signed, stored in fine hardwood case.

Accessory items:

001      Zentmayer box of accessories (early items in fine condition).

c.1874

002      Powell & Lealand box of accessories (including a A. Ross objective).

c.1848

Curator: James Solliday (Educational Photo Lab, President of the Microscopical Society of Southern California).