I have been collecting antique brass microscopes for over 3 decades and there are still many models that I would like to add to my collection. In addition to the antique microscopes made by both American and European manufacturers, I am interested in obtaining old microscope related accessories, which include items such as lenses (objectives, eyepieces, condensers), parts, microscope oil lamps, hand-held magnifiers, and professionally prepared specimen slides. I am also seeking early microscope related literature, trade catalogs, and other historical artifacts showing early microscopes and other types of scientific instruments. Basically, I am interested in anything to do with the history of the microscope. If you have an antique microscope for sale, please let me know about it. I will answer all correspondence

On this web site, you can see some of the antique microscopes in my collection. They date from the beginning of the 18th to the beginning of 20th century. Be sure to visit the other pages of this site in order to get a comprehensive look at the entire collection. Browse simply by viewing the pictures on different pages or by utilizing the Site Index, which is organized by the country of origin and manufacturer. I hope you find these instruments as interesting as I do.

Email: wissnera@verizon.net NEW

new and recently modified pages NEW

click on the photos click on the images for more information and photos

Powell and Lealand, London. Student microscope with Varley stage.

Smith Beck & Beck, London #3008. The Universal Microscope

Binocular microscope: J. Zentmayer, Maker, Philadelphia, pat. 1876, #1343. The American Centennial Model.

G. Langguth Jr.,Optician, Chicago (retailer) c. 1865 (likely made by Samuel Murset, Philadelphia).

Portable microscope: James W. Queen & Co., Phila.. The Tourist model.

Portable binocular microscope: J. Swift & Son, 43 University St., London W.C. c.1879

French Drum Microscope, c. 1855. Trade Label of James Foster Jr., Mathematical & Philosophical Instrument Maker, Cincinnati

J. Swift & Son, No. 260. Portable Clinical and Field Binocular Microscope

J. Swift & Son, No. 438. Military Portable, agents Hughes Owens Co. (Portable Clinical and Field Microscope)

Binocular microscope: Smith, Beck & Beck, 31 Cornhill, London, #4375. The Large Best model , c. 1866

J. Zentmayer, Philadelphia No. 975. United States Army Hospital Monocular Microscope, before 1876

J. Zentmayer, Philadelphia. No. 723. United State Army Hospital Binocular Microscope, before 1876

J. Zentmayer, Philadelphia. Patented 1876, No. 1867. United States Army Hospital Monocular Microscope, c. 1877

J. Zentmayer, Philadelphia. Patented 1876, No. 3773. United States Army Hospital Binocular Microscope

Zeiss Jena, 555/1243, Stativ II, c. 1867. Property of Dr. John Edward Marsh.

Binocular microscope Jackson Model 1A: Ross, London, #4001

Portable microscope: W. Watson & Sons Ltd., 313 High Holborn, 10951. c. 1906

T. Cooke, York. Monocular microscope c. 1854

Hensoldt Wetzlar #13270. Protami Field or Expedition Microscope. Later form

Hensoldt Wetzlar #3127. Protami Field or Portable Microscope, c 1932. Early form

Small French microscope with lever stage mechanism.

Ross No. 2 binocular microscope: c. 1870

J. & W. Grunow, New Haven Ct. No. 196. The Student's Larger Microscope, c. 1855

Monocular microscope: Ross, London, #3224. Classical Ross bar-limb design

F.L. West, 39 Southampton St., Strand, #12 c.1855. Early bar-limb design

J. Davis, Derby, c. 1855. Early bar-limb design.

Monocular microscope: Abraham, Liverpool c. 1840. With mechanical stage

Seibert #5257. The No. 4 model microscope, c.1887

Microscope with 3 scroll supports on a folding tripod base c. 1840

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester NY, #1364. A rare transitional model, c. 1880

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., patent Jan. 21, 1879, #4819. Student model microscope with Wale limb

Two versions of the James W. Queen & Co., Philadelphia. Universal Household Microscope. c.1885

W. Waston & Sons Ltd, 313 High Holborn, London #11787. The Edinburgh Student model.

French bar-limb microscope with lever stage. Trade label of John C. Sack, San Francisco. c. 1870

Two versions of the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Investigator models. left: serial No. 3634, c. 1885 ; right: serial No. 6818, c. 1890

J. Grunow, New York, Marked on the tube: Roosevelt Memorial c. 1890

Unsigned but attributed to Yawman & Erbe, N.Y. Monocular microscope c. 1880

J. Grunow, New York, No. 676, c. 1880. A microscope from the laboratory of Thomas Edward Satterthwaite MD

J. Grunow, New York, No. 780. Continental style microscope

Ernst Gundlach, monocular microscope, "The Student's Microscope No.1", c. 1880

J. & W. Grunow, New Haven Conn. (attributed). The Educational Model Microscope. c. 1860

Case mounted microscope. Charles Chevalier, Ingenieur Optician Brevete, Paris, c.1845

Carl Zeiss, Jena, No. 30156, Continental Microscope Stand Ia. c. 189

Microscope Universel à Grossissement Variable. French Pocket microscope with variable magnification, c. 1925

Nachet Opticien, rue des Grands Augustins, Paris. Drum Microscope, c.1846. With stage fine focusing

A. Krüss, Hamburg, No. 260. Drum Microscope c. 1860. Stage fine focus

Nachet Opticien, rue Serpente 16, Paris. Drum Microscope, c.1850

Signed: Made expressely for C. Duhamel, Optician, new-Orleans. Massive French drum microscope. c. 1850

E. Hartnack, sucr. G. Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphene 21, Paris. #4684. Small drum microscope c. 1863

Lerebours à Paris, Drum Microscope, c. 1844

J. & A. Molteni, 44 rue du Chateau d'Eau, Paris. Drum Microscope with rack and pinion focusing

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Universal model monocular microscope, c. 1889

Carl Zeiss, Jena, No. 338. Abbe Microspectroscope

John Browning, London. Sorby-Browning Microspectroscope

R & J Beck, 31 Cornhill London, No. 56. Beck-Sorby Microspectroscope

Ross, London #5008. Small Ross-Zentmayer model microscope

C. Verick, èlève spécial du Hartnack, rue de la Parcheminerie 2, Paris, No. 3275, c. 1880. Verick Laboratory Microscope No.7

W. Watson & Sons, 313 High Holborn, London #3925. c. 1897. The Royal Van Heurck model with binocular and monocular tubes and continental base.

C. Verick, Èlève spécial de E. Hartnack rue de la Parcheminerie, 2, Paris, No. 3571, c. 1880

James W. Queen & Co., Philadelphia and New York. The Educational Model Microscope, c. 1870

Signed: Franz Poeller, Munchen . Most likely made by Arthur Chevalier, Paris

Binocular microscope: H. Crouch, 51 London Wall, London, #574. c. 1871

F.W. Schieck Berlin S.W. No. 7903, c. 1884. Continental model microscope

Hensoldt Wetzlar #11721. Tami Portable or Travelling Microscope

Nachet Opticien, rue Serpente 16, Paris mall model microscope, c.1853

Hensoldt Wetzlar #1201. Metami Field or Travelling Microscope

Culpeper type microscope with rack focusing c. 1800. Unsigned, but possibly sold by P. & J. Dollond, London

Carl Zeiss, Jena #9546. Stativ VII, c. 1886, Continental microscope

Early Watson Microscope (unsigned, but signed examples are known)

Microscope signed: Gebr. Mittelstrafs, (Mittelstrass), Magdeburg c. 1875

Cary-Gould Pocket Microscope

Cary-Gould type case-mounted microscope with inclination

Thos Rubergall, 27 Coventry St., London type pocket microscope, c. 1820

C.A. Steinheil Sohne, Muenchen. Set of aplanatic loupes with handle and loupe stand.

Hand held botanical compass microscope with case, "The Flower Microscope", c. 1850

Double pillar French microscope c. 1875

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester NY. Pat. Oct. 3, 1876. The Student's Model Microscope, c. 1878

Lyman D. McIntosh, Chicago (unsigned). Pat. March 13, 1883. Microscope for a Solar and Stereopticon Combination, c. 1885

E.H. & F.H. Tighe, Detroit Mich., Small monocular microscope, c. 1890

T. H. McAllister N.Y. The Popular Model microscope

Unsigned large monocular microscope on a double pillar. Likely American-made c. 1880

Unsigned English microscope with round base c. 1865

J. & W. Grunow, New York #267. Small microscope on a wood and iron base, c. 1864.

Nachet & Fils, 17 rue St. Severin, Paris. Hayem-Nachet Hemocytometer, c. 1890

Sidle and Poalk, Philadelphia. "The ACME" No. 17, c. 1879

James W. Queen & Co. #1476 The Acme No. 4 model microscope. c. 1887. The microscope of Dr. Edward E. Maxey, MD (1867-1934)

James W. Queen & Co., Phila., # 788. The Acme No. 3 Model Microscope. c. 1890

Queen & Co # 2215. The Acme No. 5 model microscope. c. 1893

Carl Zeiss, Jena. Abbe's drawing camera (camera lucida, Zeichenapparat nach Abbe), c. 1895

Geo. Wale, Patent June 6, 1876. Fusee chain focusing microscope

James W. Queen & Co., Phila. (no serial number). The Acme No. 3 Model Microscope. c. 1890

Two versions of the Nonpareil model microscope. Signed by Ernst Gundlach and Yawman & Erbe, c. 1884

E. Hartnack sucr. de G. Oberhaeuser. Place Dauphine 21, Paris, #3886. Case-mounted drum microscope, c. 1861

French Drum Microscope with stage fine focus (Nachet type). Imported and sold by Benjamin Pike Jr., New York, c. 1849

Benj. Pike's Son & Co., 930 Broadway NY. Microscope with stage fine focus adjustment, c. 1878

Pike Maker, 930 Broadway New York, No. 1181. Fusee chain focusing microscope, c. 1880

James W. Queen & Co., Philadelphia and New York. The Student Model Microscope, c. 1874

James Swift & Son, University St. London W.C. Improved Wale's American Microscope, c. 1881. Arranged as a polarizing (mineral/petrological) microscope

J. Zentmayer Philadelphia, Serial No. 330 The "Grand American" binocular model,c. 1867

Retailed by Chas. Lentz & Sons, Philadelphia, Pat. Oct. 3, 1876 and Oct 13, 1885. Made by the Bausch & Lomb Opt. Co., Rochester, NY

Miller Bros., New York (unsigned). The Student Model Microscope, c. 1879

Gundlach Optical Co., Rochester, N.Y. Continental style microscope, c. 1895

L. Schrauer, Maker, New York. Prize Microscope Awarded to Frederick Hills Cole, M.D., 1894

C. Verick, rue de la Parcheminerie, 2, Paris, No. 3036. Verick-Malassez Travelling or Pocket Microscope, c. 1880

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Pat'd Oct. 8, 1876. The Professional model microscope with binocular and petrological tubes

R. & J. Beck, London and Philadelphia, #8900. The New National Model Microscope, c. 1880

A cased set of microscope specimen preparation and display tools. Sold by James W. Queen & Co., Philadelphia, c.1885

The Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co. The Simplex Model, c. 1910. Case mounted microscope

Franz Schmidt & Haensch, Berlin, No. 256. Middle model No. 4, c. 1870.

Signed on the back of the base: L. Schrauer, Maker, New York and on one leg of the base: W. M. Keene, B. Sc. M. D. Continental style microscope, c.1890

The Improved Griffith Club Microscope. Signed: E. H. Griffith, Pat. Dec. 14, 86, Fairport, N.Y. #840. c. 1887

R. & J. Beck, London, # 6283. The Popular Model Binocular Microscope. c. 1872

Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany, #3646. Binocular eyepiece "Bitumi" for stereoscopic observation of microscopic objects with a single objective c. 1925

James W. Queen & Co., Philadelphia and New York. The Student Microscope, c. 1871

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Rochester NY, 40018. The CCDS Continental Model Microscope, c. 1903

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester N.Y. U.S.A., #162120. The No. 40 Model Pocket Microscope. c. 1923.

Carl Zeiss, Jena No. 51081. The Model IIIE microscope with large mechanical stage, c. 1910

F. Koristka, Milano #6827. Large Continental Microscope, c. 1900

Schiek in Berlin, No. 137. Small drum microscope, c. 1842. The microscope of Thomas Lovell Beddoes (1803-1849)

G. & S. Merz in Munchen N:726. Middle model microscope, c. 1867

Schiek in Berlin, No. 965. Small drum microscope. c. 1859

R. & J. Beck Ltd, London, #29446. The London-Handle Model Microscope, c. 1910

French Drum Microscope with rack and pinion focusing, c.1850. The microscope of George Tate (1805-1871)

Cary, London. Gould's Improved Pocket Compound Microscope, c. 1835. The microscope of Alexander Boyden (1791-1881)

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Rochester NY, Pat. Oct. 3, 1876, No. 279. Made by Ernst Gundlach. The "Laboratory" model microscope, c. 1877

J. Swift, 43 University St., London W.C., Registered Portable microscope lamp, c. 1874

Henry Crouch, London, #942. Student's Binocular Microscope. c. 1875

Miniature French Pocket microscope in a Coffin-shaped Case, c. 1870

E. Leitz Wetzlar, No. 2860. Middle Model Microscope IIIa, c. 1878

Imported French microscope with Varley stage, c.1870

Perfectionné par Charles Chevalier Ingénieur Opticien Breveté, Palais Royal 163 é Paris, Solar microscope, c. 1840

Seibert in Wetzlar. Polarizing (Mineral) Microscope, c. 1895

Carl Zeiss, Jena No. 32540. Microscope 1C for Photomicrography and Projection. Berger's New Model (Jug Handle). c.1899

Case-mounted folding botanical microscope, c.1830. Lenses used individually or in combinations

Ross London, 3750. First-Class No. 1 Monocular Microscope, c. 1873

R. Fuess, Berlin - Steglitz, No. 420. Model No. III petrological microscope, c.1893

C. Verick, Paris (attributed). Dissecting-Preparation Microscope, c. 1880

E. Leitz, Wetzlar, No. 123111. Entomological Field Microscope, c. 1909

Nachet 17 rue St. Severin, Paris. Middle model No. 4 microscope with mechanical stage, c.1890

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., Serial No. 7516. Pat. Oct. 3, 1876 and Oct 13, 1885. An uncommon variant of the Physician's Model microscope with a tripod base, c. 1889

Carl Zeiss, Jena No. 53444. Stand 1B Jug-Handle model, c. 1910. Engraved on the base: Made For Herbert W. Hegele, Portland-Oregon

Bausch & Lomb Optical. Co., Rochester NY, #643. The Research Model microscope, c. 1878

Imported French Drum Microscope (Nachet type). Signed on the tube McAllister & Brother, Philadelphia, c. 1855

Société Genevoise pour la Construction de Instruments de Physique, Geneve. Metrological microscope (measuring microscope), c. 1900

J. Zentmayer, Phila., Dissecting Microscope. c. 1890

Carl Zeiss, Jena, No. 204027. The Travelling Microscope. c.1929

T. H. McAllister, N. Y. The Professional Model Microscope c. 1878

Carl Zeiss Jena 221904, Model FZE. Large microscope with interchangeable tubes and centering slide condenser, c. 1929

L. Schrauer, Maker, 42 Nassau St., New York. Large microscope on a double pillar with swinging substage, c. 1880

W. H. Bulloch, Chicago, Stand C monocular microscope, # 87, Sold on Oct. 16, 1877 to Thomas Noonan Miller M.D.

Two examples of Bertrand "Furnace" Microscopes. Pocket-sized drum microscopes

Reichert Wien, No.769, Patent. Multifunctional binocular stereo attachment, c. 1925. After Oskar Heimstädt

James W. Queen & Co., Philadelphia and New York. The Student Model Microscope, c. 1880

English Drum Microscope c. 1850 with rack and pinion focusing. Large Improved Compound Microscope

E. Leitz in Wetzlar, No. 1751, c. 1874. Microscope with polarizing attachments (Stativ Nr. 1)

Carl Zeiss, Jena - Abbe's Apertometer, c. 1910

New Improved Pocket Compound Microscope, c. 1830. Cary-Gould type

Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Rochester NY. Cover-glass thickness gauge, c. 1895

Tolles, Boston (attributed). Microscope objective with built-in vertical illuminator, c.1880

J. Grunow, New York No. 976. An advanced version of the Physician's Model with a swinging sub-stage, c. 1889

Bausch & Lomb Opt. Co. USA, AK3160, c. 1941. DDE Microscope for Research and Photomicrography

J. & W. Grunow, New York, #558. Microscope with novel focusing adjustments - Charles B. Richards patent, c. 1872

R. Wasserlein, Berlin. Small drum microscope, c. 1875

Nickel plated French microscope, c.1860. With lever controlled stage

E. Leitz, Wetzlar. Vertical Illuminator for use with a petrological microscope, 2nd quarter 20th century

Jas. W. Queen & Co., Phila & N.Y. Fiddian's Microscope Illuminator. Portable microscope lamp, c. 1875

Joseph Zentmayer - Mechanical Finger & Diatom Stage, c. 1874

A Collection of Mycology Microscope Slides. Many signed "M. C. Cook"

Portable microscope for blood analysis by a veterinarian in the field

Case-mounted microscope with a fine focus adjustment, English, c. 1845

Stokes & Watson, 6, Market Street, Manchester. Hand-held demonstration microscope, c. 1890

Mechanical Finger for use with a microscope. Invented by the diatomist Hamilton Lanphere Smith in 1866

Imported French Microscope with Ball & Socket Inclination. Benjamin Pike's Son & Co. The Smaller Educational Model, c. 1880

Andrew Pritchard, 162 Fleet Street, London, No. 124 . The Standard Achromatic Microscope, c. 1843

Dollond, London. Larger brass Culpeper type microscope. The Double Reflecting Microscope, c. 1800.

French drum Microscope. Unsigned by the maker, c. 1855

E. Leitz, Wetzlar, No. 66892. Large Travelling (portable) Microscope, c. 1902

E. Leitz Wetzlar, No. 179348. Stand A - The Universal Microscope, c. 1919

I Buy Antique Microscopes