Signed: Ernst Gundlach

The Student's Microscope No. 1

Monocular Microscope, c. 1880

text text
text

The microscope is signed on two places, on the tube "Ernst Gundlach" and on the base "Gundlach". A similar microscope sold by Yawman & Erbe of Rochester N.Y. is also represented in this collection. It has a brass base instead of the cast iron base that is on the microscope shown on this page. The microscope shown on this page came supplied with two Gundlach objectives and two eyepieces. The main focus of the microscope can be accomplished by slip-tube or by rack and pinion, while the fine focus utilizes a micrometer screw mechanism. The mirror can be positioned at any angle relative to the stage including above the stage for illumination of opaque objects. The draw-tube is nickel plated.

In the 1882 Gundlach catalog, this model was called the Student’s Microscope No. 1. It was described in the catalog as follows:

The mirrors are plane and concave, the latter being two inches in diameter. The mirrors swing above the stage to any angle for the illumination of opaque objects, and the mirror bar is graduated in five-degree spaces. The device for keeping the friction uniform on the mirror-bar is a new one. It is a contrivance that keeps in order and is durable. There are three adjustments: rack-and-pinion, sliding adjustment. and micrometer screw. The rack, which is on a double-V is very satisfactory. It is new in design and perfect in work. The fine adjustment is an entirely new invention. It is simpler and much less expensive than the roller motion adjustment on the College Microscope. It will be found satisfactory, and fully adequate to the work it is intended to do. It is worked by a milled head on top of the pillar, and it has a very much greater extent of motion than the fine adjustments of other makers. This stand was originally devised with reference to receiving a glass stage. A glass stage with simple slide carrier has been devised which can be added to the stand at small expense, making it equal to those of greater pretensions at a much lower price.

 

Gundlach Student Microscope No1

Philip Yawman and Gustav Erbe were both employees of Bausch & Lomb. In 1880, they left that firm to start their own business in Rochester New York. For the greater part of the life of the firm, Yawman & Erbe primarily were involved in the manufacture of office furniture and equipment. However, for a very brief period in the early 1880's they manufactured microscopes. It appears that the production of microscopes was in collaboration with Ernst Gundlach, another former B&L employee. It is clear that it was Gundlach who produced the optics, but it is less clear which firm actually manufactured the stands. Both firms often sold the same model microscopes and, in fact, there are microscopes that bear dual signatures by both firms. For example, see the two "Nonpareil" model microscopes in this collection. Additionally, the walnut storage cases for all these microscopes are distinctive and identical.

Ernst Gundlach, monocular microscope, c. 1879. signed on the tube and base

Additional information about the Gundlach businesses in America is online.

See this essay about Ernst Gundlach and his microscopes.


Gundlach 1878 advertisment

Gundlach 1878 advertisment

Home-Antique Microscopes       Site Index

email: wissnera@verizon.net

Facebook