Carl Zeiss was born in 1816 and in 1846 he established his first business in Jena. The following year he was already selling his own models. In 1866, 200 employees worked with him and he sold the 1,000th copy. This year he contacts Ernst Abbe, who develops great innovations and new techniques for optics and becomes his partner in 1875. In 1888 Zeiss dies, but his company It continues directed by Abbe manufacturing magnificent microscopes, which reach their maximum prestige around 1900, at which time the company has more than 1000 employees.
Early and rare brass microscope made in the late 1960s when Carl Zeiss did not yet have established models and before creating what became known as the Continental style. This one, in particular, is similar to those made by Belthle (http://www.musoptin.com/belthle_594.html in 1864. It belongs to the Vb model, of which very few copies were made. It has the serial number 602-1291 and it is perfectly preserved, with the optics suitable for use and with all the original parts.The fine focus mechanism is by means of the vertical displacement of the observation platform, a very common method in those years and that was later replaced by the movement of the entire body.Due to its construction structure, as well as the fact that the mirror is fixed to the base, the ichroscope recalls the French models of the time.
According to the Zeiss company register, this microscope was given to Mr. Schultze in Greifswald in 1868. It was normally sold with a type "A" or type "C" objective and a number 2 eyepiece.
References: "Microscopes and Microscopical Instruments", C. Zeiss 1889
H. Moe, "The Story of the Microscopes", pag 220-236
Links: http://www.antique-microscopes.com/photos/Zeiss_555_1243.htm