A late 18th century brass compound monocular microscope, English, circa 1780,

unsigned, the flat folding tripod case with a compass joint and a pillar of triangular form. The plano concave mirror fitted onto a shaped arm projecting out from the pillar, above is an adjustable stage with rack and pinion focusing. The conical optical tube screws into a transverse bar running through the finial of the pillar. The six objectives are fitted into a circular brass disc with click stop and hole to view the number of the lens. Together with a number of accessories including five lenses, a fish plate ivory specimen slides, spring stage and mirror on projection arm. Contained within a green velvet lined fish skin covered wooden case with brass clasps and escutcheon.

G. L'E Turner, The Great Age of the Microscope, Bristol, 1989

This microscope closely resembles one illustrated in The Great Age of the Microscope, p.58-59. As with the example illustrated in the book, this lot shares a number of characteristics with microscopes by Benjamin Martin - particularly the velvet lined case with red painted edges.