Description

Offered for sale is a very well presented antique Fram model microscope in brass by W. Watson & Sons of London.  It dates to around 1899 to 1900 based on the sequential Watson production number of 5680, which is engraved onto the brass plaque, just above the tripod legs.  It’s a Fram type-I – these were produced from 1898 until around 1902, so this is a mid-production example.  It’s distinguished from type-II and type-III Frams by its tripod legs which are welded onto a base plate, whereas in type-II the tripod is formed from a single continuous alloy casting and by type III the uprights had become fully integrated with the tripod legs.  On top of the tripod there’s a brass plate, which forms the base for the upper part of the microscope and which bears the engraved model name and serial number.  There’s also the maker’s name engraved onto the upper part of the tripod together with Watson’s head office address in High Holborn, London. 

This Watson Fram model was one of a range of models in Watson’s microscope line-up in this period with the same type of configuration of tripod legs with uprights and pivoting upper limb and while the Fram is slightly smaller than some of its siblings from this period, it’s still quite an impressive and imposing instrument especially when extended for use. The Fram does seem to be somewhat rarer to market than the Edinburgh models for example and may therefore have been produced in fewer numbers through its three iterations, making this example a rather exciting period find, especially in such fine original condition.

This Fram type-I is essentially an excellent piece of British optical engineering made from quality materials, with solid construction, skilled craftsmanship and plenty of hand-finishing of components carried out in this period.  This is a sturdy quality antique microscope in good original condition, working well and it’s got a great look and patina with just the right look for a brass example from the late Victorian period that’s in time-warp condition.  It really is quite a spectacular visual delight for the eyes when it catches the light and will display well on a desk-top or in a home office type of setting.

Turning to the technical details, the Fram’s coarse focus is via rack and pinion which has a good smooth action, with fine focus achieved via a separate thumb-wheel located at the rear of the upper limb which operates an internal lever system and also works nice and smoothly.

With the optics, this Watson Fram microscope comes fitted with a nice period graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube and vintage eyepieces that with good illumination produces excellent images:

– 6x magnification eyepiece B
– 10x magnification eyepiece D

It’s got an original period set of two Watson brass objectives and a double turret, which rotates freely, as follows:

– 2/3rd inch Para objective by Watson -10x with canister
– 1/6th inch Para objective by Watson – 40x with canister

Overall, the range of magnification available with this Watson Fram therefore ranges from about 60x to a perfectly respectable 400x without the need to use oil immersion techniques.

The stage is U-shaped which is standard for the Fram model, in solid brass with two original brass stage-clips for holding specimens in place.  

Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson Abbe-style condenser in a swing-out brass mount to allow changing condenser type, carrying out maintenance or just for microscopy techniques that don’t require using a condenser.  The condenser assembly also has an iris to control lighting levels, this is slightly sticky but still functional.  There’s a swing-out holder fitted below the condenser, thereby allowing coloured, opaque or dark-field filters to be inserted.  Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror which is in pretty good condition on its adjustable brass support arm and gimbal set-up with period silvering that’s in very good condition to both sides.

All controls and friction surfaces operate smoothly and this late Victorian example is in generally very good condition with hardly any  signs of age and heavy use and has clearly been well looked after by its former custodians. 

This is a great visual and working example of Watson’s classic and quite rare Fram type-I model with great originality, good optics – it’s essentially collectable and it also displays amazingly well.  Please note that there is also the original storage case with this example with internal racking, leather carry-handle with lock present but key missing, so a latch has been fitted to help keep the door closed.

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.