Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

Universal microscope lamp by Sartory Instruments Ltd (c. 1950s)

A close-up of a camera

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Universal microscope lamp made by Sartory Instruments Ltd (Figure 1), probably dated to the 1950s. This low voltage ‘High Intensity’ lamp was one of the company’s most successful products, and one of the first microscope illuminators to incorporate the transformer and rheostat into the lamp base. The heavy base contains two steel columns; a long one mounted centrally to permit the use of the lamp up to 25 cm above the bench and a shorter one at the periphery to enable the lamp to be used at a very low angle. These lamps were still being offered for sale by Flatters & Garnet in their ‘MIKROPS’ catalogue in 1963 and were substantially cheaper than the bulkier lamps of Baker, Beck, Swift and Watson also listed. The firm Sartory Instruments Ltd was founded by Peter Sartory and John Bunford in 1949. Peter was a self-taught optical and mechanical engineer fascinated by microscopes and telescopes. The company was only active for 14 years. It started trading from the facilities of another company in which Peter and John were directors, Superma Ltd, at the address 7 Steele Road, Chiswick London and continued at that address until 1962. They ceased manufacturing in early 1963.

Note: item kindly donated by Mr John H. Adair (UK) in June 2024.

 

A black and white photo of a microscope

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Figure 1. Sartory universal microscope lamp as featured in the article ‘Carel Sartory. 2011. Sartory Instruments Ltd – A Very British Enterprise. QJM 41: 397 – 409

 

References

Carel Sartory. 2011. Sartory Instruments Ltd – A Very British Enterprise. QJM 41: 397 – 409