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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
135 (JH
Steward; drum microscope; c. 1860)
James
Henry Steward (1818-1896) started his business in London in 1852. Although
his business started as retail business selling watches and firearms-related
optical equipment, the business grew to include telescopes, binoculars,
compasses, barometers, and microscopes, some of which he claimed to have
made. Over the years, Steward sold many instruments with their name on the
instruments, but many of these were made by others for Steward. The firm
traded from 406 Strand, London (1865 – c. 1915), 66 Strand (1868 – 1888), 457
Strand (1885 – c. 1920), with various other branches. As each of James’ sons
reached adulthood, they were given a subsidiary shop elsewhere in London to
manage, but the establishment at 406 Strand remained as the centre of the
business. After James’ death, the company continued (only being inherited
through the male line) until 1975. Microscope 135 is an example of a drum
microscope, is signed on the base with ‘J H Steward, 406 Strand, London’ and
should be dated from c. 1880. The instrument was described as Steward’s
portable botanical compound microscope in an 1871 catalogue from the firm
(Figure 1).
Figure 1. Steward’s portable botanical compound
microscope as pictured in an 1871 catalogue from the firm. References Steward Student Drum Microscope (https://exhibits.uncc.edu/s/Microscopes/item/1722), last
accessed on 08.10.2020 Compound drum microscope (http://stichtinghistorischemicroscopie.nl/en/microscopen/compound-drum-microscope-sm-430/), last
accessed on 08.10.2020 Microscope
à tambour J. H. Steward (http://www.lecompendium.com/dossier_optique_35_microscope_a_tambour_j_h_steward/microscope_jh_steward.htm), last
accessed on 08.10.2020 LAST
EDITED: 14.06.2021 |
