Description

Antique Negretti & Zambra monocular microscope, manufactured in London, England, circa 1865 and in good condition. This instrument, designed for professional use, comes with its original eyepiece and objective lens. The microscope is made entirely of brass. Mechanically, it functions perfectly and can be used to observe samples and prepared slides. On the back of the base, there is a complete inscription engraved with the name of the manufacturing company: Negretti & Zambra, 1 Hutton Garden, London, in elegant cursive script. The microscope has a mechanical stage with micrometric adjustment. All mechanisms are in perfect working order.

The Negretti & Zambra firm was founded in 1850 by Henry Negretti (1818-1879) and Joseph Zambra (1822-1897), both born in Italy, for the manufacture of scientific and optical instruments. The business was located in London; in addition to the instrument manufacturing workshop, it also had a photography studio. The company founded by Negretti and Zambra would eventually become the official supplier to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and later to King Edward VII. They also supplied the Royal Observatory and the British Admiralty. Furthermore, the company sent various photographers to document events such as the Opium Wars, which pitted China against England between 1839 and 1842.