Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 126 (JA^S Parkes & Son; early 20^th century)

Based in Birmingham, England, Parkes produced good quality microscopes and other scientific equipment and supplies from the mid-1800s until well into the twentieth century. Recognizing the burgeoning market of students and middle-class amateurs, they focused on inexpensive instruments. James Parkes began his business in 1815 as a manufacturer of small items such as jewellery cases and other metal devices. James’ only son, Samuel, became a partner in about 1846, forming J Parkes and Son. By the 1850s, J. Parkes and Son were producing a variety of microscopes. Their 1857 catalogue prominently featured microscopes and prepared slides. Large numbers are known of later microscope models that were manufactured by J Parkes and Son but sold by other retailers. Samuel continued the business under the same name after his father’s death in 1877. Samuel had only one son, also named Samuel. That son, and a nephew, James Moulton, continued the business after the elder Samuel died in 1896. Moulton left the partnership in 1908, and Samuel T.H. Parkes continued alone for a number of additional years, at least until the late 1920s. Microscope 126 is signed “JA^S Parkes & Son, Birmingham” and should be dated to the early 20^th century. The microscope came with the original wooden box. This instrument is identical to other microscopes sold by other companies at that time, such as by F.E. Becker & Co, Townson & Mercer and John Griffin & Sons (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Technical school microscope as featured in 1920s catalogues of FE Becker (A), Townson & Mercer (B) and John Griffin & Sons (C).