~FANTASTIC AND RARE COMPASS MICROSCOPE WITH FORCEPS AND BULLSEYE/LIVE BOX (AMENDED)~
$1800 USD (1450 GBP)(1700 EURO)
A rare compass microscope with forceps and additional bullseye/live box in addition to high and low power lenses
Dimensions
17 x 4 x 1.5 cm.
Circa
1800
Maker
unbranded
Countries of manufacture
France, Other
Description
A one off Continental(French) ? compass microscope of unusual features. 17 cm. long with a threaded ebony handle, this simple microscope features fold out interchangeable and stacking lenses stored in the beautifully tear drop shaped upper section (2-3 X each). Magnificent early knurling/roping of the brass of all screws and pivot points. Full 360 rotation of the bullseye/livebox and forceps and 90 degree perpendicular rotation for focus in addition to 180 degree rotation to swing the forceps/bullseye/live box out of the focal plane. Retaining most of it’s original golden lacquer, it is a complex marvel of engineering and machining. Everything is nice and tight as it’s use was minimal. The 15 cm. long forceps are of typical construction (brass with tapering steel rod) and are held in place by a knurled screw. The same knurled screw can be backed off to accommodate the additional 10 X bullseye/livebox which can be used in combination with the folding lenses or as a lone magnifier. Nice green glass on the convex side and colourless glass on the plano side. All housed in a brass horseshoe-shaped bracket with full rotation by two knurled screws. The bullseye lens/live box is 2.5 cm. in diameter and 1.5 cm. thick. (in two parts). The case is modern and I was looking for something suitable in mahogany but without success. Depth and length are the main stumbling blocks (min. 15 cm. internally with a depth of at least 2 cm.-pencil box??). The new owner will want to display this beauty, not tuck it away in a box anyway !!!
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Dealer information
ScientificaOpticae
Scientifica Opticae
Mark Hacking (Scientifica Opticae Inc.) has been an avid collector/dealer for over 30 years. A former Science teacher, he has an innate love for anything natural or mechanical. Specializing in optical (microscopes, telescopes), surveying, medical, weighing and drawing instruments, he is an active participant of the Scientific Instrument Fair in London. Living in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, with his wife and two children; Mark looks forward to meeting as many fellow collectors as possible, and has a worldwide following on eBay (Sciopti).