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Microscope (detail)

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made in London

Microscope (detail)
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This photograph shows the signature on a microscope made in London between 1840 and 1850. The signature on the bar-limb reads: 'DOLLOND / LONDON'.

The signature on an instrument does not mean that it was necessarily made by that person, or even in his workshop. Often, makers sold their instruments to larger organisations, possibly even in another place, and the retailer would have their name engraved on them. For instance, despite the signature implying that this instrument was made by the famous optical firm of Dollond, it is associated with another instrument, also signed by Dollond, but made by the specialist London microscope makers Powell & Lealand.

Hugh Powell (1799-1883) appears to have worked as a supplier for the instrument trade before he set up on his own and began, in 1840, to sign his microscopes 'Hugh Powell'. In 1842 he took his brother-in-law, Peter Lealand, into partnership, and thereafter instruments were signed 'Powell & Lealand'. The firm made low-power microscopes of this type as auxiliary to their more expensive instruments. This dissecting model is associated with another more powerful microscope retailed by Dollond.

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