Trade label of John C. Sack, San Francisco, c. 1870
The magnification chart
found with the microscope clearly indicates its French
origin:
The following quote is
taken from "The Makers of Surveying Instruments in
American Since 1700" by Charles E. Smart,
1962:
JOHN C. SACK
(1823 - ?)
San Francisco,
California
He is first listed in
1858 directory, no occupation, same address as Thomas
Tennett, Battery Street. From 1861 thru 1888 he is
listed as an instrument maker with Thomas Tennett,
Battery Street. From 1889 thru 1895 he is apparently by
himself at #4 California Room 7. In 1895 his residence
is given as 540-1/2 - 15th. He is not listed in the
1896 directory. The Federal Census of 1880 lists him as
being 57 years old and born in
Germany.
Apparently Smart has no
information about Sach when he was located at
203 Montgomery St. However, an ad placed in the Daily
Alta California, Vol. 18, dated 1866 states:
"JOHN C. SACK, OPTICIAN, HAVING just received a
large invoice of Surveyors' Instruments, Drawing
Instruments, Opera Glasses, Spectacles, etc., etc.,
would be pleased to have his friends and the public
call and examine his stock before purchasing.
--- No. 203 Montgomery St., near Bush". He is
also listed at this address in The San Francisco
Directory for the year 1874.
A very similar microscope
(see below) was sold by the London instrument
maker and retailer J. Amadio as illustration in
the 1857 Catalogue of Achromatic Microscopes
and other Optical, Philosophical and Mathematical
Instruments Manufactured and Sold by J. Amadio,
Optician of the Admiralty, 7, Throgmorton Street,
London. It is presumed that this microscope was a
French import.
An identical example of
this microscope has been observed with the signature:
Aug Patte, Rue de Rivoli No. 168, Paris