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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
384 (W Watson & Sons;
Service microscope; c. 1947)
W. Watson & Sons were opticians and
camera makers trading from London and Edinburgh. The company was originally
founded in 1837 by William Watson at 71 City Road, and the business continued
at this address until 1861, when it moved to 313 High Holborn. In 1867, the
name was changed to W. Watson & Son. In 1882, the name was changed to W.
Watson & Sons. In 1900 the company acquired the John Browning and Co.,
and in 1908 the firm became W. Watson & Sons Ltd. In 1929 they published
an advert in the British Industries Fair Catalogue as an Optical, Scientific
and Photographic Exhibit, highlighting the manufacture of microscopes for
medical, industrial, and educational purposes. Into the 1950s, the company
changed their address to 25 West End Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, where they
stayed until the late 1960s. In 1957 the company was acquired by Pye of
Cambridge and ten years later, taken over by Philips. By 1970 the manufacture
of microscopes was over. Microscope 384 is a Service microscope made by W.
Watson & Sons Ltd., has the serial number 88774, and should be dated to
c. 1947. This microscope was described in the Watson’s 36th
catalogue from c. 1930 as the most efficient, robust, rigid, and enduring
student microscope ever offered for bacteriology, botany, histology,
pathology, and zoology (Figure 1). At that time, and according to the maker,
this was among the most used microscopes in British universities. Note: this instrument was kindly
donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.
Figure
1. Watson’s Service
microscope as engraved in the 1930s 36th edition of the Watson
catalogue. |
