Brass Cuff-type Microscope

Brass Cuff-type Microscope, retailed by Dollond, London, c. 1761, and possibly made by John Cuff (1708-1772), the mahogany box foot with accessories including six objectives, an ivory double-screw top box containing springs, a brush, brass tweezers, and four ivory sliders, supports a composite brass side pillar with thumbscrew-adjusted fine focusing mechanism, single tube with threaded nosepiece for the objectives, quatrefoil stage signed "Dollond, London," with stage-mounted lens for top lighting, cone-shaped substage diaphragm, box-mounted concave mirror, on shaped brass base affixed to the box with screws and embellished with a scroll, all in a pyramidal mahogany box with drawer housing additional accessories including a Bonanni spring stage and additional eyepieces, ht. of box including handle 17 1/2 in. Literature: COLLECTING MICROSCOPES , Gerard L.E. Turner, pp. 52-7. According to Turner, it is possible that Dollond sold microscopes actually made by John Cuff. A copy of the relevant pages from this book accompanies the lot. Instrument in old cleaned brass surface, cabinet in probably original finish, six numbered objectives in place, lower drawer empty, optics and mirror all appear to be in excellent condition.