Photo by David Friend Productions, San Diego, California
JONES MOST IMPROVED-TYPE MICROSCOPE by JOHN ARCHBUTT
01-001. English, 2nd quarter 19th century, unsigned, but with a full trade label in the lid for "JOHN ARCHBUTT, Mathematical Instrument Maker...Established 1795." Made of polished brass and standing 18" high on its folding 3-leg base, with a 6" tall pillar and compass joint supporting the 3/8" square x 8" long column. The 3 1/2" wide x 2 7/8" deep full mechanical stage focuses by pinion drive on a rack cut on the front of the column . The 8" long body tube screws into the top of the bar limb and the objective lenses screw into the bottom of the bar limb. The 1 7/8" diameter double-sided substage mirror is mounted on an adjustable bracket on the column. The original accessories include 2 eyepieces, 2 objectives with slip-on lieberkuhns, 1 lieberkuhn objective, 1 high power objective, stage-mounted bull's eye condensing lens, fish plate, and live box (missing only the stage forceps and a stage disk in the case). This late Jones most improved-type microscope and its accessories are all in very good overall condition; however, little of the original lacquer finish remains. The original 14 1/2" x 11" x 2 7/8" fitted mahogany case is also in very good overall condition.
