Photo by David Friend Productions, San Diego, California
WENHAM BINOCULAR "CHALLENGE" MICROSCOPE C by JAMES SWIFT & SON
01-050. English, late 4th quarter 19th century, signed on the base "SWIFT & SON. 81 TOTTENHAM COURT RD. LONDON W.C." Made of polished lacquered brass, with black oxidized brass base and limb, and standing 15" high (min), extending to 20 1/2" by rack & pinion coarse focussing and a rack & pinion for eyepiece separation mounted on the top back of the body tubes. The 6" wide x 7" deep large Crouch-type base has 5 3/4" tall dual uprights; the 4 5/8" diameter rotating stage has an elaborate mechanical stage on top; the substage assembly is mounted with a rack & pinion below the stage; and the double-sided substage mirror is 2 1/4" diameter. The original accessories include 2 pairs of eyepieces, 1 high power eyepiece, 2 objectives in brass canisters, double nosepiece, substage polarizer, and body tube analyzer. The microscope is in very fine overall condition, with virtually all of its original lacquer and oxidized finishes. The original 10 1/4" x 6 7/8" x 16 3/4" fitted mahogany case is in very good overall condition. From their 1895 "A Catalogue of Microscopes" - "Messrs. Swift believe this to be the most efficient instrument sold at the same price; it possesses all of the essential features of the most costly forms, and has obtained a great reputation both at home and abroad."
