29th Nov, 2023 12:00
Fine Instruments of Science & Medicine
A Rare & Early Powell & Lealand 1/50In Objective
English, c.1870, the can engraved '1/50In Powell & Lealand JL' and to the objective 'Powell & Lealand No.8'
The 1/50th objective is engraved with the low serial number "No 8." The first example of this of this particular lens, now housed in the R.M.S. collection, and was made for Dr. Lionel Beale on October 15th, 1864.
Footnote: Very few of these 1/50th objectives were made. The compact focal length and angular aperture, no better than the 1/16th objective, the impracticality in using the lens combined with little enhancement in resolution over lower-power objectives, and of course the huge price ( £31 10s) resulted in few sales. Still, it represents the very height of optical engineering of the mid-Victorian era.
Sold for £938
Result plus buyers premium
English, c.1870, the can engraved '1/50In Powell & Lealand JL' and to the objective 'Powell & Lealand No.8'
The 1/50th objective is engraved with the low serial number "No 8." The first example of this of this particular lens, now housed in the R.M.S. collection, and was made for Dr. Lionel Beale on October 15th, 1864.
Footnote: Very few of these 1/50th objectives were made. The compact focal length and angular aperture, no better than the 1/16th objective, the impracticality in using the lens combined with little enhancement in resolution over lower-power objectives, and of course the huge price ( £31 10s) resulted in few sales. Still, it represents the very height of optical engineering of the mid-Victorian era.
Auction: Fine Instruments of Science & Medicine, 29th Nov, 2023
