Antique Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Microscope. Germany, 1908

Antique Enrst Leitz Wetzlar microscope made in Germany in 1909, with an accessory set by the same maker and in its original mahogany wooden box. The microscope is complete and remains in excellent working order: the rack-and-pinion and fine adjustment systems move fluidly, making it possible to watch the samples with an accurate focusing. It mounts a three-lens revolving nosepiece, black-enameled horseshoe foot and brass top part. The brass is protected by the original transparent lacquered finish and is finely preserved, showing the logical signs of the trace of time and use which usually provide original antiques with an unmistakable character. The accessory set that comes with the microscope is composed of three lenses and two eyepieces. The lenses bear the manufacturers name engraved in the metal case and the sleeves. The name E. Leitz Wetzlar is also present in the horseshoefoot, engraved in the black finish together with the serial number Nº 110017. Moreover, if we take a look under the stage we will find a roughly-engraved inscription: B. CROSSTHWAITE DURHAM UNIVERSITY 1921. This name is also present in the brass plate attached to the box. Thanks to this detail we can deduce that the microscope once belonged to a professor who worked in the English university in 1921. Inside the box there is a specification sheet with the handwritten microscopes serial number and accessory inventory. The prestige of its manufacturer and its great working order turn this antique Ernst Leitz Wetlzar microscope into a real collectors item. Dimensions: Width: 5.6 in / 14 cm. Height: 13.2 in / 33 cm.Ernst Leitz Wetzlar History The beginnings of the famous optic material manufacturing company named Ernst Leitz Wetzlar can be found in the first half of the 19th century, when the mechanic and selft-taught mathematician Carl Kellner founded the Carl Kellner Optisches Institut in Wetlzar, Germany. After his early death his widow maintained the business, and in 1864 the mechanical engineer Ernst Leitz entered the company. Just five years later, Leitz took control of the firm and changed its name for Ernst Leitz Wetzlar. Leitz led the company to success after introducing improvements such as serial production, raising sales volume rapidly after 1871. Leitz microscopes included technical improvements that increased their quality; by the late 19th century the company already had a worldwide reputation. Ernst Leitz died in 1920 and the leadership of the firm passed to his son. As well as for their microscopes and optic material, Leitz became hugely famous for their famous Leica cameras (abbreviation of Leitz Camera).