Description

A FINE EXAMPLE OF “JOHN CUFF” BRASS COMPOUND MICROSCOPE, c.1745

Signed on the cruciform stage: “J CUFF Londini invt.& Fecit” the body tube mounted on upright limb with slide bar and fine screw focusing, mounted on a square mahogany base with drawer, contained in a tapered mahogany case.

Accessories including a set of five objectives (numb.1-5), spring stage, fish-plate, live box, brass cone, canister, hinged brass specimen holder, 7 numbered bone slides, lignum vitae pulicare lens/box.

Condition is very good, retaining most of its original laquer. Trace of slight oxidation. Original mahogany case.

An important signed microscope in untouched/original condition. (I usually do not clean my instruments unless there is an active patina. Instruments have to be authentically of their age and not look like old new stock.)

Dimension: case 40cm (16”) high. Microscope 34cm (13”) high

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John Cuff (b1708-d1770, w from 1731), apprentice of James Mann, called himself “A Spectacle and Microscope Maker…at the Sign of the Reflecting Microscope & Spectacle, Fleet St. London. He was commissioned by Henry Baker (see portrait and book) to make him a new design of microscope since he found the Culpeper-type inconvenient as the supporting legs got in the way of his watch glass and the focusing was too inaccurate. Cuff’s microscope was all made in brass with easy access to the stage and the fine focusing was by a screw acting directly on the stage.

Cuff produced a 12-page brochure on his model in 1743-44 when it is assumed he began production of his very popular model which sold for the sum of seven guineas. Other makers in London (Dollond, Ribright, Adams and others) and on Continent (e.g. Passemant) soon saw the advantages of Cuff’s design which was rapidly copied for at least half a century onwards.

Unfortunately, Cuff was apparently not much of a businessman: despite Baker’s support, he had to declare bankruptcy in 1750. In 1757, Benjamin Martin opened a competing shop next door to Cuff’s establishment on Fleet Street and drove him out of business the following year (1758).

A RARE MICROSCOPE MADE BY ITS INVENTOR

For an extensive description of Cuff’s activity see: https://www.microscopehistory.com/cuff-type