Description

A used but not abused Jones most improved type microscope by Joseph Hillum c.1840 with many innovative extras seldomly seen.

Standing 31 cm. tall with a folding tripod base, this microscope has many objectives for use as a simple microscope and a turret of 4 lenses for compound usage. In addition, it has a fully functional mechanical stage. Complete except for the ivory talc box (removed due to CITES), the machining of the brass is exquisite and the optics are very good for the era. Signed on the foot “Hillum, 109 Bishopsgate St., within LONDON”, it retains little of it’s original lacquer from use but has no cosmetic/mechanical faults and the rack and pinion gears of the stage and substage operate smoothly. Double sided 2 inch mirror has all of it’s original silvering. A substantial and rare mid-sized microscope housed in it’s flame mahogany case with only minor veneer losses (measures 32 x 24 x 8 cm. deep).

Clifton states that Joseph Hillum worked at this address from 1836-1840 and then disappeared into obscurity.

N.B. have found a brass replacement talc box and brass clean out wire for the aquatic tube.