The microscope is
signed on tube: Carl Zeiss, Jena No. 28495. This
serial number indicates a manufacturing date of
1897. It is an example of the Zeiss Stand IVa. It is
of the "continental" style, which by the end of the
19th century was one of the most popular designs
and was offered by all the leading German
manufacturers of the period.
The microscope is constructed entirely in brass having
a bright lacquer surface finish on the tube and limb, while
the base and pillar have a black enameled surface
finish. The rectangular stage is covered in
Vulcanite. As shown in the photos, the microscope
measures about 12.5-inches tall in the inclined
position with the draw-tube partially extended. The
microscope focuses using a rack and pinion. The
fine focus is by calibrated micrometer screw. The
substage of the microscope consists of an Abbe
condenser on a mounting focusing by rack and
pinion. The condenser is fitted with an iris
diaphragm, which can be adjusted off center for
oblique illumination by rack and pinion and can be
swung totally out of the optical path. The mirror
is double sided with plane and concave
glasses.
As shown in the extract below taken from the Zeiss Production Archives, this
microscope was delivered to the Zeiss outlet in Berlin in 1897. It is the Model IVa.
It was purchased for this collection in the USA.
The microscope was purchased from a descendant who indicated
it was once the properity of Dr. Adolph S. Schlosstein,
born in Bavaria in 1841 (died 1905), and/or his son, Dr. Adolph
G. Schlosstein, born in 1873. Both practiced medicine in St. Louis, Missouri.
