Description

Henry Crouch Histology-type Stand – circa 1887

This listing is for a nicely presented and well engineered antique Histology-type stand microscope by Henry Crouch of London.  It dates to around 1887 based on the sequential production number of 5966, which is engraved onto the tripod along with the maker’s name. See image in listing photos of this model taken from an 1887 publication.

This pattern of histology stand was produced to meet the demands of medical institutions at the time.  It presents with a stable tripod foot similar to those popularised by rival makers Swift and gives the stand gives good steadiness when in use.  

This Victorian example of a Crouch stand is in good original condition and has obviously been really well looked after by its former custodians. It also benefits from a set of objectives by R & J Beck, also in wonderful condition with bright lacquer finishes to complement the stand, a rotating mechanical stage and the correct period storage case, which is also in pretty good condition.  It presents really well with this example having good lacquered brass details including its main tube, thumb-wheel and a few other details, which are showing hardly any signs of age-related tarnishing, very much in keeping with light usage over the last 140 years.  This compact desk-top microscope is essentially an excellent piece of Victorian optical engineering built with quality materials, solid construction and skilled workmanship with most components probably hand-finished.  This is a sturdy quality period microscope in good original condition, fully working, with few signs of wear and bags of character and period charm.  It’s got a great look and is a fantastic example of a compact brass Crouch from the Victorian era.

In terms of construction we have an anodised brass tripod of typical Crouch form, with twin uprights to the pivot with tension adjustment as required.  The upper limb is a Continental pillar-style in lacquered brass.  The instrument’s main coarse focus is by via a combination friction tube and rack & pinion system which works well, with smooth action holding in position as it should in its working range.  Fine focus is operated via a brass thumb-wheel atop the continental pillar which also has a smooth operation.  Turning to the optics, this histology-type microscope comes fitted with a brass eyepiece draw-tube and an appropriate quality vintage eyepiece that with good illumination produces excellent images:

– 6x magnification 

There are two vintage objectives which will be later replacements – both by R & J Beck, as follows:

– 2/3rds inch brass – 10x magnification
– 1/6th inch in brass – 40x magnification
(both objectives have their correct brass canisters)

Overall, the range of magnification provided ranges from about 60x to a perfectly respectable 240x.

The stage is circular in brass and also fully mechanical with x/y adjusters on the right-hand side with smooth action.  There’s two sliders running in recesses in the stage surface for holding slides steady which work well and this system is excellent for retaining slides during inclined viewing. The stage rotates as shown and is quite well damped, so holds position upon adjustment, but it will not complete a full 360 degree rotation because the thumb-wheels catch on the limb – it manages about 270 degrees.

Turning to the sub-stage, there’s a brass ring-mount with swing-out feature, to which is currently fitted a low-power condensing lens in a brass mount.  For lighting there is a plano-concave mirror on a brass support arm giving swing adjustment with gimbal.  The silvering is quite good to both sides, giving reflectivity and lighting that’s perfectly adequate.

Accessory – live box

This is a great example of classic Crouch compact stand in the form of a Histology-type model, with the beneficial addition of a Crouch mechanical stage, that’s in very good original condition.  It’s got quality replacement optics by R & J Beck and it’s essentially very much in collectable condition, displaying well for a compact stand, with surprising presence when fully extended for use as I hope the listing photos demonstrate.  Great item for both desk-top use and display.

There is also a period-correct storage case with this example, which is also in good condition for its age with carry-handle, internal storage rack for the lenses and with lock & key present which is always nice to have.

Owing to the weight and delicacy of the microscope, it will be partially dismantled, well wrapped for shipping and dispatched by insured courier upon receipt of cleared funds.  

Thanks for looking.