Description
A Brass Solar microscope with rack barrel objective, in mahogany case, made by William Harris & Co, 50 Holborn, London London, C 1830. Signed on the square rotating base-plate, the mirror with geared adjustment, the body tube with slide carrier to the top and slot for the objective lenses, rack and pinion for focusing, together with a brass slider with four numbered objectives, two various brass and one wooden slide with objectives (some beads lacking), 4 bone and 2 wooden slides with various specimen. In the original fitted mahogany case and the microscope is circa 24 cm. high. Measurements box 26,5 x 21.5 x 8 cm.
The brass body screws into the back plate. A rectangular mirror is set on the rear of the brass plate and two wing nuts on the front adjust the position and angle of the mirror. The slide carrier screws onto the other end of the body tube. It consists of an outer cylinder with two rectangular sections cut away and a thread in the end to take the projection lens. There is also a dovetail slot to take a brass slide with four objective lenses. A rack and pinion, for focusing, extends the outer cylinder from an inner cylinder that holds the stage and an third, spring mounted, cylinder. The stage is two disks that are pushed together by the spring cylinder. The fitted case is mahogany. There are fittings on lid of the case that can hold mirror.
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Van Leest Antiques
Van Leest Antiques
Van Leest Antiques, based in Utrecht in the Netherlands, specialises in antique scientific and medical instruments. Their collection covers mainly scientific and medical antique instruments: barometers, globes and planataria, nautical instruments, anatomical models, and pharmacy items. Toon Van Leest travels regularly in Europe and visits trade fairs, auctions, and antique dealers to collect stock and to find pieces to fulfil his clients' unusual requests.
As well as being an avid antique collector and dealer, Toon Van Leest is also a dentist. He believes that antiques are a stable investment, not reliant on trends or fashion, and have truly lasting value. Above all, he says, antiques are timeless and never lose their beauty.