Description

For sale is a fine example of a vintage Carl Zeiss of Jena, Germany monocular jug-handle laboratory microscope known as a Stand Ic model standing on a horseshoe foot in black enamel finish – dating to around 1905 and carrying serial number 41567.  The model designation “Ic” can be found at the rear of the foot.

The condition of this example is generally very good, with just the right age and use signs of wear to the paint finish and lacquer here and there where you’d expect and a look that belies its true age.  This example has also got some original objective lenses mainly by Zeiss and may well therefore be quite a sought-after classic model in view of the quality build, good manufacturer, mainly original optics and completeness of the package.

Turning to the principal technical details of this quality monocular microscope, we have the following:

1)  A monocular eyepiece unit with brass draw-tube that’s graduated for tube length, allowing it to be set quickly at the optimum 160, 170 etc  value depending on the optics being used.  There’s also two eyepieces supplied as follows:

– 6x by Watson
– No. 4 by Carl Zeiss – 10x

2)  The instrument’s main focus and fine focus are controlled via sets of thumb-wheels located at the top of the limb which move the optical tube – travel and focus are both very good with the optical tube holding in position as it should.  The upper limb on this model of microscope is designed to tilt and there’s a tension lever for locking in position located at the back of the upper limb which works well.  

3)  There’s a good selection of objective lenses on a triple turret, with objectives as follows:

8x – Carl Zeiss A
10x Watson 2/3rds inch para
40x – Carl Zeiss D
90x – Carl Zeiss Apo HI** (chrome plated)
100x – Carl Zeiss 1/12th inch HI**
(most objectives have brass canisters)
** HI refers to homogeneous immersion with oil or suitable medium with correct refractive index

The objective lenses and eyepieces supplied therefore provide an effective magnification range from around 48x up to a theoretical 1,000x magnification when using the 100x objective with the highest power eyepiece along with an appropriate immersion technique. 

4)  The stage is of a circular fully mechanical design with rotation and it has good level of resistance to motion so that it holds in position and it can also be locked and centered via various thumb-screw adjusters.  There are x/y thumb-wheel adjusters on the right hand side of the stage which work well.  The mechanical stage has a pair of adjustable slide holder arms that locate in a dovetail recess and the left hand arm can be tightened into position as required.  The mechanical stage also has vernier scales for both axes and gives fine control of specimen positioning, which is a real advantage for higher magnification work. 

5)  Below stage there’s a complex condenser by Zeiss, with smoothly operating iris and swing-out feature.  Below the condenser is another iris with centering via a horizontal rack & pinion mechanism – I’ve shown the various sub-stage parts swung out of position for demonstration purposes in the listing photos.  There’s a further rack and pinion system to adjust the height with single-sided control. 

6)  Lighting is provided by plano-concave mirror (which looks to be a later replacement) on a gimbal mount with very good silvering to both sides.

7)  There is the original hardwood case which is a quality piece in its own right in superb condition, with a lovely external sheen.  It’s got internal racking for objectives and eyepieces and its lock and key are present and working which is always nice to have.  The key is interesting in that it’s the original Zeiss key from 1905 – see listing photos.

In summary, this is a highly collectable example of a vintage 1900s Zeiss Stand Ic jug-handle microscope in really good condition.  This example may therefore appeal to collectors as well as specialists seeking a really well made quality Zeiss instrument with monocular set-up. 

This is also quite heavy laboratory microscope equipment especially with its sold brass construction and the wooden storage case, so owing to its weight it will be partially dismantled, very well packed and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds. 

Please also study the photos as they form part of the description.