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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
427 (W. Watson & Sons;
Greenough’s binocular microscope, pattern 2; c. 1935)
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 427 is engraved with “W.
WATSON & SONS, Ltd, 313 High Holborn, London”, “GREENOUGH”, the serial
number 57404, and should be dated to c. 1935. The instrument should
correspond to the Greenough’s binocular microscope, pattern 2 (Figure 1), and
has its original wooden box. Note: this instrument was kindly
donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.
Figure 1. Watson’s Greenough’s binocular
microscope, pattern 2, as featured in a 1924 catalogue of the firm. |
