This is a fine example of a non-inclining microscope
made by Andrew Pritchard dating from the mid-19th century. It is
signed both on the tube and on the tripod base : Andrew Pritchard,
162 Fleet Street, London. The microscope focuses by rack and pinion
moving the tube. The specimen slides are held by spring loaded stage
clips. The optics consist of a triple button objective (dividable or
magnification changes) and a Huygens eyepiece. The mirror has one
side with a concave glass and the other with a white plaster surface
for using diffuse light. Also supplied is a stage condenser for use
in illuminating opaque objects. Contained in a small leather covered
box is a small collection of prepared slides by Pritchard.
This Pritchard microscope is featured in the painting "The Microscope" by Lexden L. Pocock (1850-1919).
Andrew Pritchard (1804-1882) biography
An essay about Andrew Pritchard, his microscopes, and specimen slides is online.