Carl Zeiss was born in 1816 and in 1846 he established his first business in Jena. The following year he was already selling his own models. In 1866, 200 employees worked with him and he sold the 1,000th copy. This year he contacts Ernst Abbe, who develops great innovations and new techniques for optics and becomes his partner in 1875. In 1888 Zeiss dies, but his company It continues directed by Abbe manufacturing magnificent microscopes, which reach their maximum prestige around 1900, at which time the company has more than 1000 employees.
Excellent and elegant brass microscope made in 1890 based on model Ia, in an excellent state of preservation. It has the number 20751, so it was built in 1890. The observation platform has a micrometric mechanism in the X-Y axes and the possibility of turning on its axis. Beneath it there is a very complete accessory with light regulator, diaphragm-iris and filter holder, also with the possibility of lateral micrometric displacement. The set contains 3 original eyepieces, as well as 6 objectives from the manufacturer (B, C, E, F, J and 1/12), some of them very rare and with collar correction. It also has other important accessories such as a micrometer, a camera lucida, an analyzer for polarized light and a spectacular spectrometer.
References: "Microscopes and Microscopical Instruments", C. Zeiss 1889
H. Moe, "The Story of the Microscopes", pag 220-236
Links: http://www.antique-microscopes.com/photos/Zeiss1a.htm
http://www.arsmachina.com/zeissquad1394.htm
http://www.musoptin.com/zeiss_28285.html