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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
131 (W Watson
& Sons Ltd; Service model; c. 1928)
W.
Watson & Sons were opticians and camera makers trading
from London and Edinburgh. The company was originally founded in 1837 by William
Watson at 71 City Road, and the business continued at this address until
1861, when it moved to 313 High Holborn. In 1867, the name was changed to W.
Watson & Son. In 1882, the name was changed to W. Watson &
Sons. In 1900 the company acquired the John Browning and Co., and in 1908
the firm became W. Watson & Sons Ltd. In 1929 they published an
advert in the British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific and
Photographic Exhibit, highlighting the manufacture of microscopes for
medical, industrial and educational purposes. Into the 1950s, the company
changed their address to 25 West End Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, where they
stayed until the late 1960s. In 1957 the company was acquired by Pye of
Cambridge and ten years later, taken over by Philips. By 1970 the manufacture
of microscopes was over. Microscope 131 is a ‘Service’ Watson’s model with
the serial number No. 38853, allowing to date the instrument in c. 1928. This
microscope was described in the Watson’s 36th catalogue from c.
1930 as the most efficient, robust, rigid and enduring student microscope
ever offered for bacteriology, botany, histology, pathology and zoology
(Figure 1). At that time, and according to the maker, this was among the most
used microscopes in British universities. The instrument came with its
original wooden box containing the retailer’s label ‘Hawksley & Sons,
Ltd, 17 New Cavendish street, London, W1’.
Figure
1.
Watson’s Service microscope as engraved in the 1930s 36th edition of the
Watson catalogue. References W. Watson and Sons (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/W._Watson_and_Sons), last accessed on 12.08.2020 Watson “Service”
microscope (http://arsmachina.com/watson1354.htm), last accessed on
23.09.2020 LAST
EDITED: 23.09.2020 |
