Antique W. Watson & Sons Edinburgh-H Brass Microscope, circa 1907, Cased
This listing is for an original example of Watson's Edinburgh Student's Stand-H model microscope in brass - it dates to around 1907 based on its sequential Watson serial number 9616 and just pre-dates Watson's move to limited company status which occurred in 1908. The brass-work is in quite good condition for its age with some spotting and tarnishing here and there, which is what you'd expect for an original condition example from this period. The anodised brass tripod and frame is also showing some signs of verdigris, giving it a lovely age-appropriate patina and just the right time-worn look.
The brass tripod feet are all present and correct - in this period Watson used separate brass feet attached from underneath with small brass bolts. The Edinburgh model range was produced by Watson between 1887 and around 1945; its long production run giving us a firm clue regarding just how good this model of microscope was in its heyday.
The Edinburgh stand was originally developed by Watson in collaboration with a professor and lecturer in bacteriology at the University of Edinburgh, hence the Edinburgh designation. With its signature rear cross-member giving that classic "H" look, nice shiny brass-work, Watson's Edinburgh model is a fine example of British optical engineering with a design and style essentially dating back to the Victorian era. This 1907 example from the middle of the Edwardian era was retailed by Watson's outlet in Forrest Road Edinburgh, with an inscription to this effect on the instrument's rear cross-member.Turning to the technical details, the coarse focus is via rack and pinion with the main tube holding in position well. For fine focus, this is achieved via a separate brass thumb-wheel located at the rear of the upper frame which operates an internal lever system against sprung resistance. The focusing technique being to achieve near focus with the coarse thumb-wheels, then fine-tune with the single rear thumb-wheel, which only has a fairly small range of movement via its vernier screw mechanism.
The instrument tilts for inclined viewing and holds in position as it should on inclination. With the optics, this Watson microscope comes fitted with a period graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube inside a brass main optical tube and there's two quality vintage eyepieces that with adequate illumination produce good images. 32mm R & J Beck in brass - 5x magnification - 2/3rds inch R & J Beck - 10x magnification. Carl Zeiss D in brass - 40 x magnification. (all of the objectives have their correct brass canisters).
Overall therefore, the range of magnification available with this Watson ranges from about 30x with the lowest power lens combination, up to around 400x with the highest power combination and with the benefit of good illumination. The fully mechanical stage is an original Watson item in brass with twin thumb-wheel adjusters on the right hand side of the stage, currently fitted with a pair of unusual sprung specimen clips for holding slides steady during inclined viewing and when the axes are being moved around which work very well. The freely running x/y controls also offering fine control of specimen positioning, which is a real advantage for higher magnification work. The x-axis thumb-wheel action feels about right to the touch and it looks like there's a slight bend in threaded gear which isn't unusual for this model of mechanical stage and it's still perfectly functional.
Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson condenser with centering controls comprising twin brass thumb-screws, which sits in a height adjustable rack and pinion mount with single-sided brass thumb-wheel to adjust the height along with a swing-out feature allowing easy swapping or maintenance of the condenser hardware. The condenser assembly also has a working iris to control lighting levels and there's a 35mm swing-out carrier fitted for adding coloured, opaque of dark-field filters. Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror on a height-adjustable brass support arm and gimbal, with period silvering that's also showing some age-related foxing to both sides and some silvering loss at the edges. The instrument's controls have been lightly lubricated and operate with age-appropriate signs of wear including coarse focus, fine-focus, eyepiece draw-tube, mechanical stage, condenser rack and plano-concave mirror. This instrument presents well with brass-work that still catches the light giving a nice deep golden glow.
Overall, it's in decent shape for its age with just the right patina for an example from this period. This instrument is essentially a collectible Watson Edinburgh Stand-H model and it'll make a rather nice usable display item.
It will display rather fittingly in a library or home office setting, especially when set up with an appropriate antique slide and you'll see a couple of photos in the listings of it set up on my desk. There's also a Watson storage case with this example, which is also in reasonably good condition for its age and again is original to the instrument, it fits the Edinburgh-H well, with original wooden/brass carry-handle, internal lens racks and also a lock with key missing, so it's fitted with a cupboard latch to keep the door closed. Thanks for looking - please also check out my other listings if you get the chance.