Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 499 (CW Dixey; student microscope; 1880s)

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Charles Wastell Dixey was an optician, mathematical and philosophical instrument maker of London, England. In 1822, CW Dixey formed a partnership with his uncle, George Dixey, trading as G & C Dixey. They originally traded at 78 Bond Street, London, but sometime between 1823 and 1825 they took over the business of William Hawkes Grice and moved to 3 New Bond Street, also in London. The partnership ended in 1838, and Charles continued to trade under his name. Also in 1838, Charles’s son, Charles Anderson Dixey, joined the company as an apprentice. Later, in 1845, they entered in a partnership as CW Dixey & Son, trading at 3 New Bond Street, London. CW Dixey was at this location until 1894, the firm continuing after the death of Charles in 1880. It is unclear if the company manufactured their own optical instruments at that time. The firm was incorporated as a limited company in 1930 and still trades today. Microscope 499 is a student microscope and is signed with “C. W. DIXEY & SON, 3 NEW BOND ST., LONDON”. The instrument came with its original wooden box and should be dated to the 1880s.