Description

Henry Crouch Histology-type Stand – circa 1885

This listing is for a nicely presented and well engineered antique Histology-type stand microscope by Henry Crouch of London.  It dates to around 1885 based on the sequential production number of 4377, which is engraved onto the tripod along with the maker’s name. 

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 well looked after by its former custodians. It also benefits from a useful set of objectives and eyepieces, a stage with original brass specimen retaining clips 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 few signs of age-related tarnishing, very much in keeping with light usage over the last 141 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 patina 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 friction tube which works well, which has a 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 some appropriate quality vintage eyepieces that with good illumination produce excellent images:

– 6x magnification 
– 8x magnification
– 10x magnification

There are two vintage objectives as follows:

– 1 inch brass low-power objective by Crouch – 6x magnification
– 1/6th inch – by Crouch – 40x magnification
(both objectives have their correct brass canisters)

Overall, the range of magnification provided ranges from about 36x to a perfectly respectable 400x without the need for oil immersion techniques.

The square brass stage has original brass clips and this system is excellent for retaining slides during inclined viewing. 

Turning to the sub-stage, there’s no technical sub-stage fitted to this example and for lighting there is a concave mirror on a brass support arm giving swing adjustment and gimbal.  The silvering is quite tarnished in places, but on testing reflectivity and lighting proved perfectly adequate.

This is a great example of classic Crouch compact stand that’s quite an early-pattern Histology-type model in good original condition with decent optics 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 key absent, there’s a cupboard latch fitted to keep the door secure.

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.