Description

A Victorian brass microscope by Andrew Ross with original Case and accessories, the serial number is 6191 dating the microscope to 1887.

A fine example of late 19th-century British optical engineering, this Ross “Eclipse” microscope, was produced by the prestigious firm Ross of London, known for their precision scientific instruments.

This model dates from 1887 and remains in excellent condition, retaining its original lacquered brass finish, the foot engraved “Eclipse Ross London 6191”, and complete with its fitted polished case and  accessories. The optics remain clear, with smooth rack-and-pinion focusing and working substage mirror.

The case measures 36 x 19 x 15cm (14″ x 7.5″ x 5.90″).

Condition: Minor signs of age, overall excellent. Case handle replaced. Optics not tested for laboratory use but visually functional.

Andrew Ross founded his business in 1830 and collaborated with J.J. Lister, the maker who invented a mathematical method of producing objectives which were both achromatic and aplanatic. Ross’s early instruments were constructed initially in a fashion similar to the Jones-most-improved models, followed by a construction similar to that of the ‘Lister Limb’ and he continued this practice until the 1840’s when he developed his version of the Bar-Limb, a very stable design and from then on also supported his larger stands on the classic Y-shaped foot with two upright supports. Early examples of the Ross Bar-limb construction used a triangular bar, which was later replaced by a square one and finally on the largest and heaviest version, a rectangular one. The Ross Bar-limb design became the standard for many British microscope makers throughout the second half of the 19th century. Some conservative companies such as Powell and Lealand continued the manufacture of bar-limb microscopes into the 20th century, long after the improved continental design. Andrew Ross died in 1859 and his son Thomas Ross carried on the business. Thomas Ross died about 1870. The Ross company went on to produce optical products well into the twentieth century, although large high-quality microscopes became less important as the years went by. The firm was called Ross & Co between 1837 and 1841, and Ross Limited from 1897. The firm discontinued the production of microscopes in 1906.