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ID #SA1245062
FOR SALE
£795
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Rare Cased Monocular Compound Microscope by Benjamin Russell of Norwich
For sale by Harrington Antiques
for sale €930     $1,010
£795
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2021
Browse dealers 62 items
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Id #SA1245062
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Rare Cased Monocular Compound Microscope by Benjamin Russell of Norwich

19th century
Description

A scarce cased microscope complete with accessories by Benjamin Russell of 28 Magdalen Street, Norwich, c.1860.

The brass monocular compound has an adjustable stage (the sprung lever still functioning perfectly) and dismantles to fit in its glazed glass together with accessories to include multiple lenses, a spare mirror, and bullseye condenser magnifier. The whole is an entirely original condition.

A fine set.

DIMENSIONS

Microscope:-

Height: 33cm

Width: 16cm

Depth: 11.5cm

Case:-

Height: 25cm

Width: 17.75cm

Depth: 14cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Date of Manufacture

Harrington Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Compound Microscope to the 1860s.

Independent Date Check ID 09715434
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques Date1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 150-175 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1860s:
Hand-engraved script on the brass base: typical Victorian instrument marking.
Traditional slotted brass screws throughout: assembly well before modern cross-head screws.
Soft oxidisation and honest surface patina: brass ageing naturally over generations.
Dovetailed mahogany case with fitted interior blocks: Victorian workshop cabinet-making.
Rack and pinion focusing mechanism: mechanical arrangement standard from the mid-nineteenth century.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1245062
Dealers Internal Reference
8092
Dealers Notes

PAYMENT

We accept payment via debit card, credit card, Paypal, bank transfer or cheque. We also offer a 'Pay In 3' payment service through our website.

RETURNS

We are sure that you will be delighted with your purchase. Nonetheless, to ensure you have complete peace of mind, we offer a 14 day money back guarantee.

The purchased item may be returned, in its original condition, within 14 days from receipt. Return carriage costs are the responsibility of the buyer. For larger pieces requiring a specialist courier service, we will arrange your return for you with the cost being deducted from the refund (this cost will never exceed the original charge paid).

We ask that a trackable signature method of shipping is used for the return of smaller items as we cannot be held responsible for items lost in transit.

Should you have any queries at all, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Description
A scarce cased microscope complete with accessories by Benjamin Russell of 28 Magdalen Street, Norwich, c.1860.

The brass monocular compound has an adjustable stage (the sprung lever still functioning perfectly) and dismantles to fit in its glazed glass together with accessories to include multiple lenses, a spare mirror, and bullseye condenser magnifier. The whole is an entirely original condition.

fig 1. A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses.
fig 1. Rare Cased Monocular Compound Microscope by Benjamin Russell of Norwich

A fine set.

DIMENSIONS

Microscope:-

Height: 33cm

Width: 16cm

Depth: 11.5cm

Case:-

Height: 25cm

Width: 17.75cm

Depth: 14cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Date of Manufacture

Harrington Antiques has dated this Antique Brass Compound Microscope to the 1860s.

Independent Date Report ID 09715434
Dealer's Item Date1860s
Sellingantiques dating1860s
Sellingantiques agingItem 150-175 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1860s:
Hand-engraved script on the brass base: typical Victorian instrument marking.
Traditional slotted brass screws throughout: assembly well before modern cross-head screws.
Soft oxidisation and honest surface patina: brass ageing naturally over generations.
Dovetailed mahogany case with fitted interior blocks: Victorian workshop cabinet-making.
Rack and pinion focusing mechanism: mechanical arrangement standard from the mid-nineteenth century.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1245062
Dealers Internal Ref
8092
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2021

Antiques & decorative interior pieces.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Harrington Antiques Profile Page

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A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses.
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Archive I A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses.

Rare Cased Monocular Compound Microscope by Benjamin Russell of Norwich

Archive II A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View II
Archive III A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View III
Archive IV A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View IV
Archive V A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View V
Archive VI A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View VI
Archive VII A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View VII
Archive VIII A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View VIII
Archive IX A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View IX
Archive X A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View X
Archive XI A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View XI
Archive XII A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View XII
Archive XIII A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View XIII
Archive XIV A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses. View XIV
Enlarged Archival View
Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques
Telephone 07552 767190
Location
Devon
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
Items For Sale 62
Items Sold 867
Harrington Antiques
Harrington Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Devon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/harringtonantiques
Verified
Mar 2021
For Sale
62
Sold
867
A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses.
Rare Cased Monocular Compound Microscope by Benjamin Russell of Norwich
Ref: SA1245062
A nineteenth-century lacquered brass monocular compound microscope shown alongside its original fitted mahogany case and brass accessory lenses.
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Archival Detail

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Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectScientific Instruments
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialBrass, Mahogany, Glass
  • ColourGolden Brass
  • MotifsLacquered brass body, Rack and pinion focus, Substage mirror, Fitted mahogany case

This Victorian scientific instrument comprises a monocular compound microscope made from golden-finished brass, accompanied by its original fitted mahogany case, multiple accessory brass lenses, a bullseye condenser on an articulated arm, and a separate stage slide with a thumbscrew. The microscope features a cylindrical optical tube, rack and pinion focusing with a large circular side knob, an adjustable stage equipped with a sprung lever, and a substage mirror mounted within a ring frame. The timber case contains interior wooden blocks to secure the components and possesses a hinged glazed door fitted with brass hinges. The microscope measures 33 cm high by 16 cm wide and 11.5 cm deep, while the case measures 25 cm high by 17.75 cm wide and 14 cm deep. Placed on an office desk or library table, this piece serves as a decorative display object representing nineteenth-century scientific craftsmanship.

FAQs

A Victorian compound monocular microscope is a nineteenth-century optical instrument featuring a single eyepiece tube and multiple magnification lenses designed to examine microscopic specimens.

Instruments from this era were primarily crafted from hand-lacquered brass for corrosion resistance, mounted on cast iron or solid brass bases, and housed within custom fitted mahogany carry cases.

Authentic pieces typically feature maker signatures engraved on the main draw tube or base, rack-and-pinion focusing mechanisms, original optical accessories, and age-appropriate natural brass patination.

Designers frequently position cased brass instruments as decorative accent pieces on office desks, bookshelves, mantelpieces, or inside curiosity cabinets within classic or industrial-themed interiors.

Dust surfaces gently using a dry microfibre cloth and store the instrument in a climate-controlled room inside its case to prevent oxidisation, avoiding abrasive polishes that strip protective historic lacquer.
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