Description

For a concise description of Martin’s later pocket microscopes and his optical cabinets, including this one, please refer to my collection’s page: https://www.microscopehistory.com/martin-signed-dollond  The parallels to the 18th-century drum microscope are all related to Benjamin Martin, though most are unsigned. Most of the parallels to this microscope are found in the optical compendia made and advertised by Martin from about 1750 as a Cabinet of Optical Instruments. There, this microscope accompanies scioptic balls and telescopes. Therefore, while the telescope is signed ‘Dollond London’, ascribing it to John Dollond (1706-1761) or his son Peter, it should be related to Martin. No record shows that Dollond had ever produced any drum microscope before the end of the 18th century. Moreover, in the Science Museum London (SML) collection, there is a Universal microscope, undoubtedly made by Martin but signed “P et J Dollond Londres”, perhaps an instrument intended for export to France. Dollond is definitely known to have put his name on instruments recognizably made by other makers. Because the microscope has an “in-between” field lens after the Ramsden ocular, it is undoubtedly a later product by Martin than his ‘Pocket Microscope’. The estimated date of ca. 1770-80 and the manufacture by Martin are evident. The optical cabinet bears a paper card glued to the inner side of the case cover with the name W&S Jones. But for the reasons explained in the above website, the Jones brothers were merely the retailers. Condition: The overall condition of the entire compendium is very good. The following issues are noted: 1. The retaining ring of the scioptic ball is threaded on the mating side and stuck. It is too fragile to remove, and I wouldn’t recommend using force on it. 2. One of the two hooks locking the case is partly broken. However, the lock still has its original key.