Accession No

5836

Brief Description

compound microscope, possibly achromatic, by J. Swift and Son, English, 1/2 20th Century

Origin

England; London; Tottenham Court Road

Maker

J. Swift and Son

Class

microscopes

Earliest Date

1900

Latest Date

1950

Inscription Date

Material

metal (brass, other); [wood]; glass (mirror); ivory; cloth (felt); paper (card) [some not original]

Dimensions

case: length 340mm; width 183mm; depth 245mm microscope: height 304mm; width 165mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Donated on 15/06/2001. Bespoke made by J. Swift on Tottenham Court Road for the donor's Grandfather, who gifted the microscope to her.

Inscription

J.SWIFT & SON
LONDON
B. S. G. STANDARD. 17217
On case: A . M . B

Description Notes

Microscope and accessories made by Swift in the 1920s contained in wooden case.

Gilt and black painted brass microscope with external light source condenser and 15 accompanying lenses of different magnification, including two long-length eyepieces. Also includes a canister of coloured filters and other accessories although several are missing.

The wooden case was designed by Dr. G.P. Bidder to take all the accessories that were used.

The microscope came with a 1904 edition of Charles Kingsley’s ‘Water Babies’.

References

Events