Antique English Compound Microscope. Mechanical Plate. England, Circa 1910

Antique English compound microscope with mechanical sample plate, made in England circa 1910 and in excellent condition. The microscope comes with its original storing case, which also contains 1 eyepiece, 2 objectives, a light-concentration magnifying glass and tweezers to manipulate the samples. It mounts a black-enameled metal foot and stands on a solid-mahogany square piece. All the mobile component parts and pieces are made of brass and remain in fine condition, showing a fluid and soft operation. The brass preserves the transparent lacquered finish which has helped to protect its good look through the decades and provides the metal with a beautiful patina. The mechanical sample plate makes it possible to move the samples with great precision, without touching them. The storing case is made of solid mahogany wood, and tough the top handle is missing it is in really good condition. The lock and the key are original and remain in working order. This antique English compound microscope with mechanical sample plate is a real collectors piece, in striking condition and in working order. Dimensions: Foot: Side: 4.92 in / 12.5 cm. Height: 15.35 in / 39 cm.Compound Microscopes Characteristics and History Compound microscopes differ from simple microscopes in that they mount more than one lens. By combining the lenses, these instruments enable more lens magnifications. The lens combination can magnify the size of the objects 2000 times, compared to the maximum of 250 times provided by a simple lens. Curiously enough, compound microscopes were invented before simple microscopes. This was because in those times it was not possible to create high-magnification lenses, so it was necessary to combine two or more lenses in order to get the needed magnification. The first compound microscope was developed around 1600 by two Dutch lens manufacturers, Zacharias and Hans Janssen.