Antique W. Watson & Sons Ltd Edinburgh-H Student's Microscope circa 1907, Cased

This listing is for an antique Edinburgh Student's Stand-H model microscope in brass by W. Watson & Sons Limited of London. It dates from about 1907 based on the sequential Watson production number of 9560, which is engraved onto the frame, just above the rear tripod foot. It's an Edinburgh-H model, which Watson produced between 1887 and around 1945 almost always in a lacquered brass finish like this example with just a few chrome-plated examples produced towards the end of the model's production. With its long production run that gives 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, the Edinburgh H is essentially an excellent piece of British optical engineering. It's an instrument showing its heritage from every one of its many intricate parts, based on good materials, solid construction, great design and skilled workmanship with plenty of hand-finishing carried out in this period to produce an instrument of this class. Have a good look at the construction, even details such as the small components like brass screws and other technical furniture really do scream top quality. This is therefore a sturdy, well-made microscope, this example in original un-restored condition, with just the odd blemish here and there.

It's working and all moving parts seem to be free from much in the way of wear, which means that this instrument has been pretty well looked after during its 114-year lifespan. If you'd like to learn a bit more about this example please read on.

If you're already familiar with the Edinburgh H, then I hope you agree that this is a interesting Edwardian example and maybe one to add to your collection. Turning to the technical details, the coarse focus is via rack and pinion which has a good smooth action, with fine focus achieved via a separate brass thumb-wheel located at the rear of the upper frame which operates an internal lever system and has just been lubricated so also works nice and smoothly. With the optics, this Watson microscope comes fitted with a period graduated brass eyepiece draw-tube and two quality vintage eyepieces that with good illumination produce excellent images: - 6x magnification - 8x magnification It's also got three period objectives (by Watson/Beck) and a triple brass Watson turret, which rotates freely. The objectives are as follows: - 32mm in brass - 5x magnification - 1/6th inch in brass - 40x magnification - 1/12th inch in brass - 100x magnification - oil immersion. Overall, the range of magnification available with this Watson therefore ranges from about 30x to a theoretical 800x with oil immersion and very bright illumination.

The microscope's fully mechanical stage is an original Watson item in brass with the addition of two modern stage clips for holding slides including during inclined viewing. The freely running x/y controls also offering fine control of specimen positioning, which is a real advantage for higher magnification work. Turning to the sub-stage, we have a Watson condenser with centering controls on a height adjustable rack and pinion swing-out mount with single right-sided thumb-wheel. The condenser assembly also has a working iris to control lighting levels.

There's also a 35mm swing-out holder fitted for adding coloured, opaque of dark-field filters. Lighting is via a plano-concave mirror on an adjustable brass support arm with slider and gimbal giving both swing and height adjustment and with period silvering that's in pretty good condition to both sides. All controls operate smoothly including coarse focus, fine-focus, eyepiece draw-tube, condenser and plano-concave mirror. This instrument is in antique condition with its lacquered brass-work showing some spotting and tarnishing and it still catches the light perfectly giving a lovely golden glow. The anodised brass tripod and upper limb on this example are showing signs of verdigris giving it a rather nice antiqued look and I've made no attempt to disturb this surface patina, with its unique finish.

This example is essentially a good original working example of Watson's classic Edinburgh Stand-H model in untouched condition with a comprehensive specification and good optics - it's very much in collectable condition. Please note that there is also a correct period Watson storage case with this example, with internal lens rack, nice wooden carry-handle and lock that's missing its key, so the case is also fitted with a cupboard latch. The case presents well and has a lovely surface finish with just the right level of sheen and patina for a period Watson case of this vintage. Thanks for looking - please also check out my other listings.

Watson & Sons Ltd Edinburgh-H Student's Microscope circa 1907, Cased" is in sale since Thursday, November 18, 2021. 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, 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, Philippines, Qatar, Trinidad and tobago, Uruguay, Viet nam, Russian federation.

Period: 1901 to 1950
Antique: Yes
Material: Brass
Type: Microscope