Microscope "Nº 3" Powell & Lealand (c.1843)
Hugh Powell (1799–1883) began making microscope components under his own name. In 1841, together with Andrew Ross and James Smith, he founded the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) out of the Microscopical Society of London, founded in 1839, and they became leaders in the development of microscopes. He joined forces with his brother-in-law Peter Lealand and they made some legendary microscopes, very heavy, of great quality and, over time, considered to be the best of the Victorian era. They were made in small quantities and for 60 years hardly changed. This first model is known as the No. 3, since they later designed an improved one (the No. 2).In 1869 they presented an even larger model known as the No. 1. The No. 4 was a smaller, foldable and portable model. They also made a model for students known as “Iron” because of its functional base. It had small variations but was characterized by its simplicity and by having a focusing system integrated inside the tube. His company manufactured only 600 copies in its entire history and never employed more than 5 workers, so many of the copies were customized on demand and took more than 1 year to be delivered. They were not numbered and only indicated the year of construction. They also specialized in the design and construction of high-quality lenses.
This copy belongs to model nº2 and was manufactured in 1878 as indicated by the engraving under the fine adjustment. It has a rotating mechanical platform with X-Y movement, as well as a condenser to concentrate the light at a very specific point on another platform with micrometric adjustments. It has 3 objectives with ½, ¼ and 1/8 inch correction collar as well as an adapter so that the latter could be used in oil immersion without distorting the image.
References: "Billings Microscope Collection" pag 58, fig. 108
"Billings Microscope Collection" pag 217, fig. 426
H. Moe, "The Story of the Microscope", pag 160-164
G. Turner, "Great Age of the Microscope", pag 114-153
G. Turner, Collecting Microscopes, pag 66, 75
Links: https://www.microscope-antiques.com/PandL.HTML
http://www.antique-microscopes.com/plocular.html
http://www.antique-microscopes.com/photos/Powell-Lealand_No.1_monocular.html
http://golubcollection.berkeley.edu/19th/149.html