Description

A fine and unique Cuff-type monocular compound microscope with double drawer construction (leaf or cobra decoration to base) in  pyramidal case with unusual handle. Standing 16 inches tall, the lacquering and machining is exquisite. Signed on the stage in a combination of block and script “G. Sterrop, Maker”, this microscope may have been a special order item. 

Single sided mirror (beautiful lathe work to reverse), sliding double pillar construction with worm and screw fine focus, the optics are spectacular for the day. Demarcations on body tube for objectives 3-6 only, the microscope comes with 5 objectives (all beads intact), talc box, stage inserts (including one in ebony and bone), cone, Bonanni stage insert, full set of 6 cased sliders, etc. The only thing that appears to be missing is the stage bullseye. Eared stage accomodates the unique forceps (much the same as you would see with a compass microscope). Double drawers are packed full of accessories and you may think there should be glass tubes for aquatic specimens but there are NO under stage clips for this purpose. Again, a very unique microscope (see photos).

George Sterrop had a short career as sole maker (1747-1756) and signed his microscopes in both English and Latin. He seemed to pride himself on his special accents to cabinetry. Here we see the base motifs and the unusual handle for the box (NOT the typical Dutch drop). The base and the case have been sympathically re-finished at some point. The pyramidal case measures 17 x 8 x 8 inches at the base.