29th Nov, 2023 12:00
Fine Instruments of Science & Medicine
An Important Watson Petrological Microscope
English, dated October 1891, engraved to the rear of the tripod foot ‘WATSON & SONS, 313 HIGH HOLBORN, London, 2740’ the microscope is arranged on a large tripod foot with cork filled pad feet, the body is supported on conical trunnions, plano-concave mirror to base on a gimbal, focusing substage collar with polariser notch cut to inside of collar, with fine focus screw adjustment, mechanical stage with full silvered engraved scale around circumference with solid silver vernier scales to X-Y movement, course focus via diagonal rack and pinion to rear of body tube, body tube with interchangeable drawer tubes, one plane the other with silvered top to accept analyser eyepiece, with rack and pinion focus to drawer tube, with 3 Watson Objectives and one by Zeiss, with 3 Watson Eyepieces, all in the original French polished mahogany case with lock and key, case height 40cm.
The Earliest Known Watson Van Heurck Microscope?
The first Van Heurck microscope sold by Watson & Sons was on 17th March 1891 No. 2641, the entry in the Watson Records (i) reads ‘Van Heurck Microscope, with divisions to stage’ this microscope was at the time very expensive with a price of £12.0.0.
From the Watson records there were 4 Van Heurck microscope sold prior to No.2740. They are numbered 2641 (the first to appear in the sales record), 2688, 2706, 2718 (which was delivered 15 days later than the one offered in this listing). From the Watson record, this microscope, No. 2740 was sold 5th October 1891, the original entry reads ‘Van Heurck Microscope, rack to draw, cork feet’ and was priced at £13.10.0.
We have been unable to locate any of the previous microscopes so must assume that this, No.2740, is the earliest known version of the famous Watson Van Heurck Microscope.
- Little Imp Archive https://littleimp.quekett.org/Watson2/index.htm
Sold for £3,500
Result plus buyers premium
English, dated October 1891, engraved to the rear of the tripod foot ‘WATSON & SONS, 313 HIGH HOLBORN, London, 2740’ the microscope is arranged on a large tripod foot with cork filled pad feet, the body is supported on conical trunnions, plano-concave mirror to base on a gimbal, focusing substage collar with polariser notch cut to inside of collar, with fine focus screw adjustment, mechanical stage with full silvered engraved scale around circumference with solid silver vernier scales to X-Y movement, course focus via diagonal rack and pinion to rear of body tube, body tube with interchangeable drawer tubes, one plane the other with silvered top to accept analyser eyepiece, with rack and pinion focus to drawer tube, with 3 Watson Objectives and one by Zeiss, with 3 Watson Eyepieces, all in the original French polished mahogany case with lock and key, case height 40cm.
The Earliest Known Watson Van Heurck Microscope?
The first Van Heurck microscope sold by Watson & Sons was on 17th March 1891 No. 2641, the entry in the Watson Records (i) reads ‘Van Heurck Microscope, with divisions to stage’ this microscope was at the time very expensive with a price of £12.0.0.
From the Watson records there were 4 Van Heurck microscope sold prior to No.2740. They are numbered 2641 (the first to appear in the sales record), 2688, 2706, 2718 (which was delivered 15 days later than the one offered in this listing). From the Watson record, this microscope, No. 2740 was sold 5th October 1891, the original entry reads ‘Van Heurck Microscope, rack to draw, cork feet’ and was priced at £13.10.0.
We have been unable to locate any of the previous microscopes so must assume that this, No.2740, is the earliest known version of the famous Watson Van Heurck Microscope.
- Little Imp Archive https://littleimp.quekett.org/Watson2/index.htm
Auction: Fine Instruments of Science & Medicine, 29th Nov, 2023
