Description

A rare set of twelve microscope slides by the intriguing and rather mysterious nineteenth-century scientific instrument maker William Hill Darker. 

Darker was much in demand as an instrument maker to many of the most high-profile scientists of his time, but the meticulously high standards he set himself often led to his customers becoming impatient when promises for delivery were not kept. 

Darker’s attention for detail and the finest workmanship certainly extends to his elegantly presented microscopes slides. Each is made from two glass slips with highly polished edges. Each edge was bevelled, to allow the neat application of his trademark red sealing wax. 

It’s easy to imagine pressures of work weighing heavily on Darker. Shortly after an early morning desperate visit to a friend, he took his own life.

Twelve slides, each measuring 3×1 inches.