Description

Offered for sale is a good example of an antique monocular brass microscope by French makers Hartnack & Prazmowski with the instrument dating it to around the 1880 period.  The condition is generally good, with only a few minor age and use appropriate signs of wear to the finish on the instrument and just the right time worn look to its lacquered finish and brass-work.  Being a compact upright instrument, it’s also a good proposition for display, say on a desk-top when set up with a suitable antique slide.  It’s also perfectly usable producing some nice bright images at medium magnification with its current set of optics.

Background to Hartnack & Prazmowski – source Microscope Museum

The origins of Hartnack & Prazmowski were in the Parisian optical business founded by Georg Oberhaeuser, who popularised Martin’s drum microscope pattern and developed the horseshoe-footed continental stand. Oberhaeuser began his business in around 1830 (his shop was located at 19 Place Dauphine in 1832). In 1854, he formed a partnership with his assistant Hartnack (who started working with Oberhaeuser in 1847) and retired shortly afterwards in 1854. The business operated as “Oberhaeuser and Hartnack” until 1859, when Hartnack became the sole owner and the firm became simply “Hartnack”. Hartnack left France in 1870, at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, and went to establish a business in Potsdam, near Berlin, known as Hartnack. The Paris business continued as “Hartnack et Cie” and, later, in 1873, Hartnack and Prazmowski (moving to 1 Rue Bonaparte). Prazmowski took sole ownership of the Paris business in 1878, and later, in 1883, passed it on to his employees Bézu and Hausser. The firm became “Bézu, Hausser et Cie”, although they continued to use Prazmowski’s name until his death in 1885. They sold the business to Alfred Nachet in 1896. Hartnack’s Potsdam business continued after his death until well into the 1900s.

This instrument is Hartnack & Prazmowski’s Stand III Compact model and there’s an image from an 1882 publication at the end of the listing photo-stream showing this model of microscope.  This example has some provenance with University of Birmingham markings on both stand and objective, along with an inventory number “B31”.  Turning to the main technical details of this Victorian period compact monocular microscope, we have the following:

1)  U-shaped tripod foot construction in brass with single column Continental-style upright in lacquered brass finish, to which attach both stage and upper limb.  This microscope is non-inclinable.

2)  A monocular eyepiece of standard fitment, with two later eyepieces supplied giving around 5x and 15x magnification options.  The instrument also has an eyepiece draw-tube that’s non-graduated.  The eyepiece fit is standard 23.2mm.

3)  The instrument’s main coarse focus is controlled via push-pull of the optical tube which friction-fits into its brass ring-mount.  Travel and focus are both very good with positive feel and the optical tube holding in position as it should throughout its working range.  Fine focus is via a single brass thumb-wheel atop the column, also with smooth action being freshly lubricated.

4)  There’s a single brass objective lens which is unmarked but will be about 2/3rds inch giving around 10x magnification.  The thread for the objective is RMS.

The objective lens and eyepieces supplied therefore provide an effective magnification of around 50x and 150x and it’s pleasing to note the RMS fitment, so plenty of other objectives should also fit the instrument. 

5)  The stage is of a plain square design in brass with some signs of surface patination.  It’s currently fitted with a pair of brass slide clips for holding slides, which work well.

6)  Sub-stage there’s a wheel-of-stops with positive feel, nicely damped rotation and 5 aperture sizes available. 

7)  Lighting is provided by single-sided concave mirror on a gimbal mount, with height & swing adjustment, silvering in good condition to both sides and reflectivity that’s perfectly adequate.

8)  There is a nice hardwood case with the instrument that will be original, complete with a brass carry-handle and working lock & key.

In summary, this is a very good clean example of a compact antique monocular microscope from the Victorian period by a quality French maker, that’s in good working and cosmetic condition for its age.  This example may therefore appeal to collectors as well as specialists seeking a quality compact brass instrument for use and/or display.  Being compact it’s also a perfect desk-top accessory, especially when set up with an appropriate antique slide – it’s working height is between about 10 and 12 inches.  

For shipping, the instrument and case will be very well packed and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds.  

Thanks for looking.