Description

Slightly modified from the original as the previous owner probably found the Swift metal chimney with it’s 3 x 1 inch aperture too restrictive (original chimneys are available as parts). The European chimney gives consistent light in all directions making it more useful for condensing light using the bullseye lens and also for note making/ drawing using one lamp instead of two.

Standing 18 inches tall on a 3 1/2 inch leaded, round brass base, it is a rare modification of the microscopists lamp. Fully adjustable both vertically and horizontally, it features full 360 degree rotation of the arm for the condensing lens under the fuel tank. The bullsye also has an articulating arm for additional light aiming to the stage.

Signed “SWIFT AND SON, LONDON. THE NELSON LAMP”, this rarity was only produced  for a short time c.1880. The lamp saw many modifications and was tweeked over a period of 5 years before it was discontinued. Advertised as ” The best microscope oil lamp in its day in its most elaborate form”, the large reservoir is 4 3/4 inches in diameter. 

From my research, the only part that was never modified was the tank (although it was sometimes signed of the tank edge rather than the top and this one has the upright stem running through the center for greater stability). I have seen examples at auction (CSK, May 6, 1993) and The Antiquarian Scientist, Catalogue 13, 1983 pp. 281 where the upright brass rod was geared by rack and pinion ( probably stripped within a few uses as the tank is very heavy), the bullseye condenser with an iris, the base offset and/or modified on a blackened V shaped claw and the bullseye clamped to the stem instead of the reservoir without rotation arm.

Obviously the lamp had it’s faults and was discontinued, making this model a rare survivor of the era. No case.