American Microscope Makers
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John Phin's $20 Microscope

Advertisement in The American Journal of Microscopy and Popular Science, 1876

This is a serviceable and thoroughly well-made instrument, manufactured exclusively for us by Bausch & Lomb Optical Company of Rochester, N.Y., under the direct supervision of Mr. Ernst Gundlach, the famous microscope maker, formerly of Berlin. This is a guarantee of its excellence, and must satisfy everyone that it is not to be confounded with those cheap microscopes which are low priced simply because they are worthless. It is not claiming more than the facts will warrant, when we say that this microscope is quite equal to any instrument that could have been purchased three years ago for anything less than $50.

The foot is of cast iron and the body inclines to any angle, as will be seen by the engraving. The tube through which the body moves is of brass, and the body itself is also of brass, and heavily nickel plated, so as to move with the utmost smoothness. The movement is by a very finely cut rack and pinion, the milled heads being very large, so that the utmost delicacy and precision may be attained. So well made is the stand, and so delicate are its adjustments, that a one/fifth, giving a magnifying power of 600 diameters can be used with perfect satisfaction. We have used a 1/8th and shown perfectly the fine lines on the Surirella gemma.

The stage is of vulcanite, which cannot be injured by corrosive liquids, and which is almost as difficult to break as brass. The mirror swings so as to give very oblique light, and there is a diaphragm underneath the stage whereby the intensity of the light may be regulated.

The optical part is of very superior quality. The eyepiece has two eye lenses, which may be changed at pleasure, so as to give different powers. The objective is a half inch of 40 degrees angular aperture, which also divides so as to give a second objective of 1 1/2 inches. The body has the Society screw, which is now the acknowledged standard, so that the objectives of any respectable maker can be used with this microscope. A vulcanite diaphragm screws onto the front of this 1 1/2 inch objective and excludes extraneous light. The magnifying powers are 55, 95, 130, and 225 diameters - a sufficient range for almost all ordinary purposes. The height of the instrument, when inclined as in the figure, is nearly 14 inches.

There are also fittings for attaching a substage capable of receiving a polarizing apparatus, spot lens, paraboloid, achromatic condenser, etc., so that this microscope forms the basis of a complete instrument.

As many persons are afraid to purchase a low-priced microscope, lest they should outgrow it in a short time, we agree to take this microscope back (if in good order) at its full price ($20), in exchange for any higher priced instrument on our lists, at any time within twelve months.

Price in neat black walnut case, with fittings for accessories, drawer for slides, etc., handle, lock and key.........$20

The Industrial Publication Company, 176 Broadway, New York

John Phin's Industrial Publication Co. published many popular books for the microscopist and also sold other microscopes, claiming in 1876 to be the sole US agent for Crouch.


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Contact: Richard Van Vleck smma@fred.net