Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

      

Microscope 370 (Charles Perry; stereo microscope, model Prefect; 1960s)

 

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Charles Perry was the foreman of Powell & Lealand, which ceased manufacturing microscopes in 1901, after which he went to work for C. Baker of High Holborn and later, around 1914, started up himself as Charles Perry (originally trading from 41, Northolme Road, Highbury, North London). Whether Charles Perry had his own factory or had instruments made to his specification by Watson is unclear. Later, Charles Perry also made dissecting and student microscopes for Prior, sold with their signature, and Prior made several models for him, with his signature. By 1960, Prior and Charles Perry merged but kept their separate names until about 1970. Microscope 370 is a stereoscopic microscope engraved with “CHARLES PERRY & CO. LTD”, “PREFECT” and the serial number 4464. This instrument was featured in a 1963 catalogue of Flatters & Garnett (Figure 1), where it was described as Perry’s Prefect microscope with double nosepiece.

Note: this instrument was kindly donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.

 

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Figure 1. Charles Perry’s stereoscopic microscope Prefect as featured in a 1963 catalogue of Flatters & Garnett.