SOLD – Antique Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Monocular Brass Microscope – circa 1924, Cased
Sold
Extremely well kept and good working condition example of an inter-war Leitz monocular model in brass, supplied with a good quality matching-numbers hardwood storage case.
Circa
1924
Maker
Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar, Germany
Country of manufacture
Germany
Description
Offered for sale is a very good example of an antique monocular brass microscope by Ernst Leitz of Wetzlar Germany. It’s bearing production reference number 223616, which according to my Leitz dating table means that this example was manufactured in 1924, so just qualifies as an antique piece. The condition is generally very good, with only a few use-related signs of wear to the paint finish on the instrument’s foot, which is the only blemish I could find. It’s got superb lacquered brass-work and would just about qualify as museum quality in terms of its cosmetic appearance, it really is that good and I hope that the listing photos adequately showcase its condition. The case has its original matching numbers magnification table that also mentions that the London retailers were Ogilvy & Co of Bloomsbury Square, London.
This example also has a good set of Leitz eyepieces and objective lenses and may well therefore be quite a sought-after classic model in view of the quality manufacturer, good optics and completeness of the instrument with all numbers matching – instrument, case and magnification card – which is perfect for collectors. Being a mid-size instrument it’s also a good proposition for display, say on a desk-top when set up with a suitable antique slide – and it’s also perfectly usable producing some nice images with its mid/high magnification Leitz optics.
Turning to the main technical details of this quality monocular microscope, we have the following:
1) Construction is a Y-shaped foot and single upright in black finish, with upper limb also in black and main tube in lacquered brass. Note that this model is inclinable and holds position well on inclination.
2) A monocular eyepiece unit with graduated chromed draw-tube allowing tube lengths up to 190mm, so when fully extended it commands quite a presence. It’s supplied with two eyepieces giving a useful range of magnification as under:
6x magnification No. 2
10x magnification No. 4
3) The instrument’s main focus is controlled via a pair of brass 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. Fine focus is via a second set of brass thumb-wheels also on the limb that also have a smooth action being freshly lubricated.
4) There are three objective lenses in total, with a triple turret, as follows:
48x – Leitz No. 6 with canister
60x – Leitz No. 7 with canister
100x – C. Baker 1/12th inch – oil immersion required – with canister
The objective lenses and eyepieces supplied therefore provide an effective magnification in the mid/upper range from around 288x up to a 1,000x magnification when using the highest power lens/eyepiece combination with good lighting and oil immersion.
5) The stage is of a square design in brass with black finish and only very minor signs of wear. It’s currently fitted with a pair of chromed slide clips for holding slides steady which work quite well.
6) Below stage there’s an Abbe-type condenser with smoothly operating iris and swing-out filter carrier. This sits in a friction-fit mount with rack & pinion mechanism for height adjustment.
7) Lighting is provided by plano-concave mirror on a gimbal mount with very good silvering to both sides.
8) There is a matching numbers hardwood case with internal racking, the hard-to-find sundries container and brass carry-handle along with working lock & key present which looks to be the original. The case is in pretty good condition for its age, with some age-related patination to the exterior surfaces.
In summary, this is a lovely clean example of an antique 1920s Leitz monocular microscope in just about perfect condition which is remarkable given its age of 101 years. This example may therefore appeal to collectors as well as specialists seeking a quality brass instrument from well-known makers Leitz.
Despite its mid-size dimensions this is also quite a heavy microscope especially with 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. Overseas buyers please use eBay Global Shipping if it’s available in your territory or contact seller for alternative shipping options/costs.
Thanks for looking.
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Dealer information
Arcboutant Scientific
Howard Nutton based in Glasgow Scotland with a background in Natural Science along with previous career in risk management. I obtained my first antique microscope in 1988 - it was a Watson Edinburgh model H serial number 23604 - dating it to 1918. Since that time I've owned and restored hundreds of similar instruments. As Arcboutant Scientific now also making available personally curated fine examples, principally of antique microscopes and associated scientific equipment by quality English and Continental makers, to collectors world-wide.