Antique Culpeper Type Microscope. John Bleuler. England, 1820

Gorgeous and very rare Culpeper microscope in excellent condition and good working order. This instrument was manufactured in England in 1820 and comes with its original storing case and a complete accessory set. Culpeper-type microscope are so called for its inventor, Edmund Culpeper (1660-1720), who decided to enhance and improve the standard designs by putting a mirror under the stage. The mirror was designed to capture and concentrate light. Moreover, they were the first microscopes which were mounted on a tripod. The instrument that we can see in the images stands out for its excellent condition. The microscope is completely made of brass, in good condition. The microscope has three elegant curved legs that stand on a small solid-mahogany drawer. Inside there are four more lenses, a live box, some old-time samples and a pair of tweezers. The mahogany wood is in amazing condition and preserves the original finish. The mirror is slightly chipped, but it can still capture light in order to lead it to the sample. The microscope comes in its original case, a lovely pyramidal mahogany-wooden box. Engraved in the metal surface and printed on the door label we can see the BREUER brand name, which stands for the company that once made and sold the instrument. For its original quality and enormous beauty, this extremely rare Culpeper microscope will stand out in any self-respecting collection of antique devices. Measurements: Width: 6.10 in / 15.5 cm. Height: 15.35 in / 39 cm.John Bleuler History John Bleuler (ca. 1756-1829) was a London-born manufacturer of optical and mathematical tools. He kept a flourishing business from circa 1790 until his death in 1829. Among his achievements we can highlight the design of a substage condenser for microscopes that contributed in a decisive way to the evolution of these devices. In his first years, Bleuler was an apprentice for Henry R. Shuttleworht (from 1771 to 1779). During the following decade he stayed in his masters workshop as an employee. In 1787 he married Shuttleworths daughter, Elizabeth. In 1789 Bleuler started his own business; only three years after he bought his neighbors shop, which had belonged to Samuel Whitford. Bleulers shop made and sold optic material, corrective eyeglasses and engineering and drafting tools.