Good example of a high quality antique microscope dating from the late 19th Century. The microscope parts are made of lacquered brass and it sits on a heavy horse shoe shaped base. The whole microscope tilts, the eyepiece tube is extendable and has a rack and pinion coarse focus as well as an additional fine focus knob at the rear. It has a square shaped stage with two slide clips. Below the stage is a large adjustable mirror for focusing the light source towards the microscope and a revolving pinwheel.
The microscope is stamped on the back of the base with the retailer's name " R.G.Mason. Optician, Clapham, S.W."
The microscope comes with one eyepiece lens and two objective lenses, believed to be original. The lenses come in their original brass cases marked "Wray, London 1/4in" and "Wray, London 1in". It also comes with a live box, an adjustable pair of tweezers for holding specimens and an additional large lens.
The microscope comes in a fitted wooden box with sections to hold the lenses and accessories. The box has a good quality brass carrying handle and a metal closing latch. It is a strong sturdy box with a nice patina. The box measures approximately 12" tall x 8" wide x 6 1/2" deep.
The microscope measures approximately 13" tall when set up. It appears to be in good working order and I have set it up and tested it with a few old slides. The pictures are clear and crisp and the microscope is easy to focus with both the main and fine focus. I'm sure the lenses would probably benefit from a light clean and it is really being sold as a collectable item rather than an accurate scientific instrument.
Overall the microscope is in good condition for its age. It has been used and will have normal signs of wear. There are some areas of tarnishing and minor wear on the brass lacquer and some general knocks and light scratches around the base but nothing detrimental. It has been cleaned and the brass lightly polished and it displays very nicely. All parts move smoothly as they should.
