Antique W. Watson & Sons Edinburgh Student's Stand-H Microscope c1911, Cased

Here we have an antique microscope by the highly respected optical instrument makers W. Watson & Sons of 313 High Holborn, London. It's one of their best models, known as the "Edinburgh Student's Stand-H" microscope.

The "Stand-H" reference relates to a cross-member at the rear of the upper stand which creates an H-shape - you can see this design for yourself in one of the photos in the listing. Sometimes this cross-member is inscribed with the details of the distributor and this particular example is no exception showing the distribution agents were - C.

The Edinburgh "H" is one of the better models made by Watson during their active production period which ran from the late 1800s right through to the 1960s, with this particular model remaining in production from the 1890s right up to the 1930s. Overall the "H" is not quite as elaborate as Watson's Royal and van Heurck models but also it's not that far off and therefore it's endowed with most of the same features and qualities as the top-flight van Heurcks. It's essentially an astonishingly good piece of British Edwardian optical engineering that produces beautiful images. The microscope's main focus is by a smooth rack & pinion and the brass eyepiece draw-tube is calibrated for easy setting of tube length.

The fine focus mechanism works via a micrometer thumb-wheel located at the rear of the upper stage which in turn moves an internal lever system and also operates nice and smoothly. The microscope has a fully mechanical specimen stage with thumb-wheel x-axis and y-axis controls and an upper stage with slide clips giving complete and fine control of the sample being viewed. The mechanical sub-stage has right-sided thumb-wheel controlled rack & pinion adjustment for the condenser and also the whole sub-stage assembly swings out for ease of changing the sub-stage configuration or fitting/removing accessories. The sub-stage also comprises the Abbe-type condenser which is a later Watson version with working iris to control lighting levels and swing-out filter holder for insertion of filters.

The plano-concave mirror is on a separate multi-adjustable limb for oblique illumination, in addition to its standard gimbal, with silvering that's showing some blemishing but overall remains usable. As is normal with Watson microscopes of this era, the black-painted tripod stand is engraved with the makers name, address and the sequential instrument production/serial number.

This model's serial number is 13393 which dates it to about 1911, so just after the end of the Edwardian period. Turning to the optics, the microscope has a period Watson rotating triple nose-piece in black finish fitted with three quality objective lenses covering a range of magnifications as follows. 16mm - Carl Zeiss Jena. 8mm Apochromat - Carl Zeiss Jena (with correct brass canister).

E Leitz Wetzlar #6 - with brass canister. There are two period eyepieces - 10x magnification and 14x magnification. There is also a superb antique wooden storage case with a working lock and key - it's got an internal inscription Down Bros, St. The case obviously isn't an original Watson case, it is however a period instrument case of good quality, most probably in mahogany with a rich lustre and age-appropriate patina and to be honest it's probably equal to the standard of case Watson would have supplied for this model. There's also the really nice bonus that it's fitted with a removable storage drawer for holding the selection of lenses and various other accessories.

There are also the following additional extras supplied with this "H". An extract from "The Watson Microscope" which contains specific details about use and maintenance of the Edinburgh "H" model. A box of blank slides and a box of cover slips. A small selection of prepared slides for test viewing. This is a really high-quality microscope in amazingly good condition, with a great selection of lenses and other useful accessories together with a top-quality wooden case - it's almost certainly one that will appeal to an enthusiast or serious amateur. Thanks for looking - please also check out my other listings - mainly eclectic artworks and vintage optics, plus some other cool stuff. Watson & Sons Edinburgh Student's Stand-H Microscope c1911, Cased" is in sale since Tuesday, December 3, 2019. This item is in the category "Antiques\Science/Medicine\Scientific Instruments".

The seller is "arcboutant" and is located in Glasgow. This item can be shipped to United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Australia, United States, Bahrain, Canada, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Norway, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bolivia, Barbados, Brunei darussalam, Cayman islands, Ecuador, Egypt, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, French guiana, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Macao, Monaco, Maldives, Martinique, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Paraguay, Reunion, Saudi arabia, South africa, United arab emirates, Ukraine, Chile, Bahamas, Colombia, Costa rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Kuwait, Panama, Qatar, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay, Viet nam.

Period: 1901 to 1950
Material: Brass
Type: Microscope
Mechanical stage: X and Y-axis