Pillischer, London # 5692. "The Kosmos" model microscope, c.1895

Pillischer, London # 5692.

Pillischer, London # 5692. The Kosmos model microscope, c.1895

Pillischer, London # 5692. The Kosmos model microscope, c.1895

wood base having a cut-out for the foot

The microscope came with a custom made painted wood base having a cut-out for the foot and a bell jar for display.

substage

signature

Pillischer, London # 5692. "The Kosmos" model microscope, c.1895. Storage case

Pillischer, London # 5692. "The Kosmos" model microscope, c.1895. In storage case with accessories.

This uniquely designed and attractive microscope is signed on the back of the curved upright Pillischer, London #5692. It has the Pillischer trade mark consisting of a stylized MP within a circle, and is marked with the name of the model, "The Kosmos". This model was first described in 1887 in an article published in The Lancet. Another description later appeared in the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society in 1905 (see below). The precise date of the microscope shown here is uncertain. This model appears to be rather uncommon; only a few other examples have been located with higher serial numbers. A later updated example with serial number 20736 recently sold at auction as did the example with serial number 15150

The microscope shown here is fully outfitted with an elaborate centerable substage and full Turrell type mechanical stage similar to those used with the earlier Pillischer microscopes. The microscope stands about 15.5-inches tall as shown inclined with the draw-tube partially extended. It is supplied with a mahogany case. The accessories include a substage Abbe condenser with iris diaphragm, five Pillischer objectives in canisters (focal lengths 1 1/2, 5/8, 1/7, 1/9, and 1/12 oil immersion), four oculars marked A through D, a substage insert that mounts below the condenser for dark field work, a double objective changer, a live box, a brass-mounted blue glass filter, a substage polarizer, and a nosepiece analyzing Nicol prism. In addition to having the original mahogany case, a custom made black lacquered wooden display stand with a cut-out for the foot and glass bell-jar accompany the microscope.

Extracted from The Lancet Vol. 130, issue 3339, 1887 Extracted from TheLancet Vol. 130, issue 3339, 1887

Extracted from TheLancet Vol. 130, issue 3339, 1887

Extracted from The Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1905 he Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society 1905

he Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society 1905

The following was extracted from The Microscope. Its History, Construction, And Application. J. Hogg, 15th Edition. 1898

The "Kosmos" is Pillischer's cheaper model The stand of this somewhat novel and original microscope is framed entirely of brass and gun-metal. The fine adjustment is very sensitive and perfectly steady, admitting of the highest immersion objectives being used. The optical parts are constructed upon principles consistent with the latest improvements. It has a claw-foot stand with a semi-circular arm, which carries the body, with sliding-tube coarse adjustment. and micrometer screw fine adjustment, with a large square stage diaphragm and mirror. The instrument is neatly packed in a mahogany box, together with the A or B eye-piece, 1-inch and 1/5-inch objectives of good defining and penetrating power, magnifying from 30 to 380 diameters, in mahogany cabinet, for the moderate sum of 5 pounds. {The instrument shown here is evidently a more advanced version than the one described above by Hogg having the addition of rack and pinion focusing of the tube, a full focusing and centering sub-stage, a mechanical stage, a more complete set of objectives and eyepieces, and other accessories}

The following was extracted from Optical Convention, 1912. Catalogue of Optical and General Scientific Instruments

Kosmos microscope 1912

The Kosmos Microscope.—This large stand is specially designed for bacteriological and kindred investigations, care having been taken to obtain steadiness and true adjustments.

Rack and pinion coarse adjustment and micrometer fine adjustment. Draw-tube graduated in inches and millimetres. The optical body is inclinable and well balanced in all positions.

Mechanical screw-stage with 1 in. adjustments in rectangular directions, sliding and rotating plate with spring clamps to hold objects firmly in position. Substage with centering screws, iris diaphragm, parallel diaphragm with rack and pinion adjustment for oblique light illumination, Abbe condenser 140 N.A. and piano and concave mirrors.

Height of stand when racked down Size of stage ....12 1/2 in.
Size of stage .... 4 1/4 x 3 3/4 in.

Moritz Pillischer established his business as a scientific instrument maker around the 1840's. He made or sold a variety of scientific instruments and is well known for his microscopes. He retired in 1887 and the business was taken over by his nephew, Jacob Pilliischer. The firm continued well into the 20th century. See the Pillischer Family Timeline. Also, see this detailed essay on the Pillischer microscopes and business.

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