Description

Rare Large Signed James Parkes & Sons Inclining Compound Microscope with case and accessories C 1857.  Microscope stands about 15” (38.1 cm) tall at closest distance to stage.  Accessories include bulls eye condenser, stage mounted forceps, substage mounted wheel with variable apertures, live box, tweezers, two eyepieces and two objectives with cases.  The ‘X’ adjusting wheel/screw is slightly bent and does not move the stage in the X-axis.   The ‘Y-axis works fine.   The coarse and fine adjustment also work.  The double sided substage mirror is in great condition.  Case also includes key and working lock.   This microscope is thought to have been a special-order purchase as no other examples of this type have been in found in any collection.  The Parkes firm worked at 5 St Mary’s Row, Birmingham, England from 1840’s to about 1900.  The Parkes firm were attempting to enter the high-end microscope market.   An 1857 catalog lists this as a top-of-the-line microscope and in 2020 dollars would have cost $1,930.00 USD.   At such a high price, it did not sell well.  One of the images shows the company’s trademark “eye” in a cast identification plaque.