£320
A 'ROYAL' MODEL MONOCULAR MICROSCOPE BY WATSON & SONS, LONDON, CIRCA 1910
heavily constructed in oxidised and lacquered brass, signed behind as per title, inscribed Royal and numbered 14431, 5in. main tube with rotating quadruple nose piece, with sub-stage condenser and plano-convex mirror, contained in fitted box with some accessories -- 13 x 10in. (33 x 25.5cm.)
Christie's South Kensington, 29 May 1997, lot 225.
Dr. Mill notes:
Founded in 1837 (but making microscopes only from 1876) Watsons became the leading UK maker in the end of the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. The company was sold to Pye in 1957 and to Phillips in 1967, ceasing to make microscopes in 1970.
Their top model was called the Van Heurck and was the leading quality instrument of the period. These represented the last in the long line of hand made instruments - as opposed to mass production . This, however, is their "Royal" model. It was intended to contain the main features of the Van Heurck in a rather more compact form. It has numerous controls and all the mechanical movements can be adjusted to provide critical performance.. The stand cost £62 17s 6p in 1937.
The mahogany case contains 2", 1" & 1/2" Parachromatic objectives but only a single eyepiece remains. The revolving nosepiece is probably later. Also present are a brass compressorium.
ref: Watson Catalogue 1936 p79.
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