A remarkably complete mid-Victorian monocular cased brass microscope from James Parkes & Son, Birmingham. Impeccably preserved and brimming with historical charm, this highly complete specimen represents a pinnacle of 19th-century British optical craftsmanship.
Constructed from heavy, polished lacquered brass, the microscope is built upon a classic Parkes-designed stable Y-foot base, complete with its original engraved oval maker's plaque. The instrument features a fully tilting limb, crisp rack-and-pinion coarse focusing, a fine-focus micrometer knob, an integrated mechanical stage, and an adjustable double-sided plano-concave mirror. The brass retains a gorgeous, warm golden hue with an elegant natural aged patina.
The microscope houses inside its original fitted transport case which is complete with its original brass campaign-style carrying handle, internal door mounts holding brass objective canisters, extra eyepieces, and the highly coveted original functional key.
Sliding seamlessly into the upper compartment is a dedicated slide drawer housing a small collection of exceptional 19th-century prepared glass slides. Among them are rare specimens prepared by the celebrated Parisian microscopist J. Bourgogne, featuring award medals from the 1855 Paris Exhibition and meticulously handwritten marine botanical specimens dated as early as May 1856 and 1860.
Finding a Victorian microscope of this calibre is rare; finding one that retains its original key, its fitted slide drawer, and a collection of historically significant, slides is rarer still.
Maker: James Parkes & Son, Birmingham
Dimensions (Case): Classic compact laboratory proportions
Inclusions: Microscope, Mahogany Case, Original Working Key, 2x Ocular Eyepieces, 2x Brass Objective Canisters/Lenses (one empty), Integrated Slide Drawer, and a curated set of mid-19th century French/English glass slides.
The case measures 28 x 24.5 x 15cm (11" x 9.5" x 5.9").
The catalogue page showing an almost identical model is taken from the James Parkes catalogue for 1853.
Based in Birmingham, England, Parkes produced good quality microscopes and other scientific equipment and supplies from the early 1800s until well into the twentieth century. Parkes also retailed a substantial number of microscope slides, many of these are recognisable to modern collectors, although not marked with Parkes’ name.
James Parkes began his business in 1815. City directories described his initial business as a “gilt toy manufacturer” and “stamper and piercer”. It being that Parkes was not a goldsmith, “gilt” probably meant lacquered brass or other shiny metals. At that time, “toy” referred to small items, so he most likely made items such as snuff boxes, jewellery cases, and other metal devices. James’ parents appear to have also been gilt toy makers, and his independent business coincided with his marriage. James’ only son, Samuel, became a partner in about 1846, forming Parkes and Son. A 24 page catalogue was produced in 1848, describing the business as “manufacturers of improved measuring tapes, land chains, mathematical instruments, miners’ and mariners’ compasses, watch keys, seals, &c., &c.”. An 1849 Birmingham city directory described them as “manfs. of mathematical instruments and gilt toys”. Their 1857 catalogue prominently featured microscopes and prepared slides. Samuel continued the business under the same name after his father’s death. Samuel had only one son, also named Samuel. That son, and a nephew, James Moulton, continued the business after the elder Samuel died. Moulton left the partnership in 1908, and Samuel T.H. Parkes continued alone for a number of additional years.
