Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 150 (J Swift & Son; Histological and physiological microscope; c. 1900)

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James Swift were microscope makers trading from London and founded in 1853 by James Powell Swift, who was son of the watchmaker Thomas Swift. Before founding his company, James Swift was apprenticed to the well-known microscope maker Andrew Ross. In 1881 they made improvements to microscope design, including the replacement of the straight rack and pinion focusing to helical cut components and a new fine focus system. In 1884, Mansell James Swift, son of James Powell, joined the company and the name was changed to James Swift & Son. In 1901, Captain Scott was supplied with Swift microscopes for use on the R.R.S. Discovery for the 1901-1904 expedition, named in the catalogue of the time as the 'Discovery' model. In 1903, Mansell Powell John Swift, grandson of the founder, joined the company. In 1906, the founder of the company, James Powell Swift, died. In 1912, the company was incorporated as a limited company and the name changed to J. Swift Ltd. In 1942, both Mansell Powell and Mansell James died. In 1946, ER Watts and Son Ltd took over the company, mainly due to the association between the Watts and Swift families in earlier years. In 1949, they employed John H. Basset who, in 1968, took over the company. Microscope 150 from J. Swift & Son (London) is identified as a histological and physiological microscope in the company’s 1906 catalogue (Figure 1). The instrument was described as being specially designed to meet the requirements of students, either of medicine or those engaged in general biological investigation. The serial number of this microscope is 11154, the instrument should be dated from c. 1900, and it came with its original wooden box.

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Figure 1. The histological and physiological microscope model as pictured in a 1906 J. Swift & Son’s catalogue.

 

References

James Swift and Son (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/James_Swift_and_Son), last accessed on 12.08.2020

James Swift & Son (1906) Catalogue of microscopes (22nd Edition)

 

LAST EDITED: 29.11.2020