Description

Signed “Deleuil” to the pillar which mounts to one side of the box in a square slot with thumb screw and supports a gimballed mirror (90%), rackwork adjusted stage and objective arm with thumb screw horizontal adjustment, the fitted drawer houses 3 objectives and additional stage accessories (separate glass and brass stage inserts). Max. height when racked 20 cm. (15 cm. packed in drawer). Two matching pin probes and brass tweezers complete the microscope. Mahogany case measures 20 x 10 x 5 cm. with ornate rose drawer pull and both hooks intact. Faults: one objective missing, pinion gear missing teeth such that it engages once per rotation on the perfect rack.

First made by the optician L.J. Deleuil (1795-1862) in Paris and based on the design by F.V. Raspail (1794-1878). Considered the Father of Histochemistry, Raspail wanted a simple microscope with multiple stage inserts for varied works, aquatic motion of the objective (based on the design of Ellis) and a glass insert for preparations in water. Copied by many but this is absolutely original and a signed version of this simple pocket microscope. A very good example.