£280
Ø A WITHERING FIRST-TYPE POCKET MICROSCOPE, CIRCA 1776
of standard form with brass-handled accessories comprising diamond-headed scalpel, pricket and tweezers, contained within original cylindrical card case of issue -- 4½in. (11.5cm.) high, IDN: X48FM76X
Dr. Mill notes:
William Withering was a physician in the 18th century who pioneered the use of foxglove digitalis ih cardiac disease He was also a keen botanist and in1776 published”A Botanical Arrangement of all the Vegetables Naturally Growing in Great Britain”. In this work he described a pocket microscope suitable for botanical fieldwork which could be carried in a coat pocket.
In Withering's original version the plates were of ivory but the design was rapidly taken up by various makers and brass replaced the ivory. Various changes were introduced and manufacture continued well into the 19th century. Models were generally unsigned and dating is difficult but this one is probably early.
Two brass uprights carry three brass plates. The lowest is a ring carrying three small feet. The highest narrow plate accepts the screw in lenses and the middle plate slides on the supports for focussing and has a central recessed aperture which takes an ivory plate- black on one side and white on the other. There are two single lenses which can be used either singly or combined giving three magnifications. There is no provision for transmitted lighting. As in the original version there are four small instruments presemt held in slots in the discs – ivory handled lancet and needle, brass forceps and a reversible needle-bug holder.
The microscope slips into a black fish skin covered card case.
Fine overall condition. A little rubbing to case.
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