Henry Crouch

[ artifact, microscope ] Henry Crouch S/N 4445

London: Henry Crouch third quarter 19th century. An all brass reclining microscope by Henry Crouch. Slightly reclined it is 15 inches tall, with a 5 x 8 inch footprint. It is marked on the base of the curved foot "HENRY CROUCH LONDON" and below that serial number "4445".

Mechanically the reclining mechanism works nicely, the gross focus works (although it is a little loose). The nosepiece fine focus spins easily but doesn't have any internal resistance. Normally there is an internal tensioning spring that moves the objective up and down which needs to be replaced or repaired. The substage aperture control has come loose, and someone re-soldered it at one point (probably un-necessary as most of these were press-fit anyway). A fairly straightforward fix, or suitable for display as is! The substage mirror is clean and functional on both sides, and can be slid up and down it's post to get it closer to the objective if necessary. The objective and eyepiece are unmarked. The objective is interesting - really three objectives in one. It has a main lense, and two additional lenses that can be added to increase magnification.

We don't often see British instruments with the American distributor's name ("Agents, James W. Queen & Co Philadelphia") so prominently displayed. James W. Queen also made their own microscopes.

A great instrument for the tinkerer, or someone who wants to clean it up and add to the bookshelf. A nice display instrument.

We often have a range of instruments for sale from $100 to $5000. Please inquire. [28121]


"Henry Crouch sold and made a good range of optical goods, including some excellent microscopes...serial numbers 315 to 10141 are on record" (Bracegirdle's Notes on Modern Microscope Manufacturers, pp25-26) They produced instruments under the Henry Crouch name from 1868 to roughly 1905. We would date this instrument to the third quarter 19th century (1870s/1890s).

ITEM SOLD