TWO MODERN MICROSCOPES electric microscopes by Reichert, Aus...

Hammer

£30

TWO MODERN MICROSCOPES

electric microscopes by Reichert, Austria and Watson, probably 1960s, one with dust cover, together with a lamp with polariser, with accessories for both, and a catalogue for Beck microscopes circa 1957

(6)

Dr Mill notes:

Carl Reichert was the leading Austrian manufacturer. As a young man he had married into the Leitz family, but unable to obtain a partnership he set up on his own with two Leitz technicians in 1876. The Company quickly established itself as one of the world's quality producers of microscopes. It was distinguished by the high mechanical quality of its instruments (particularly the fine focus) and especially by its good quality objectives. The 7a included here was approvingly mentioned by Carpenter. The company still exists although it was sold first to AOL, then to Cambridge Instruments itself taken over by Wild-Leitz - neatly closing the circle after 110 years.

This Grosse Stativ AII(1) dates from 1910 and is typical of continental stands of the turn of the century. It was intended for medical and basic research use and equipped with the virtually standard three lenses of 2/3, 1/6"-in this case 1/7", and 1/12" oil immersion. The stage is round and rotates and can be centred by two screw knobs. The substage has an off-centre rack focus. it carries an Abbe condensor with an iris diaphragm which can be rotated and decentred by a rack. Common to German and Austrian stands at this time, this provided a form of oblique illumination. Original cost 430 marks

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 and a brass box of substage diaphragms.

ref: Watson Catalogue 1936 p79.