A British Monocular Compound Microscope. London, England, circa 1900. Signed F. Darton & Co London. Modelled after, or possibly even made by Henry Crouch. The Microscope is mounted on top of a Crouch foot stand, with condenser with variable diaphragm attached beneath the stage, and plano-concave mirror, coarse focus is rack and pinion; fine focus is by means of a micrometer knob atop the limb, A double nosepiece has two objectives of 1/2" and 1/6", each in matching brass canister, and housed in its original dove tailed mahogany case with leather handle. Measurement: H. 37 cm. catalogue Note: Little is known of the company F. Darton & Co. However the microscope is near identical to one made by Henry Crouch. There are two other similar microscopes that were retailed by S. Maw, Son and Thompson / S. Maw, Son and Sons. one of which is signed “Crouch” on the foot, with serial number 9108, and on the stage, “S. Maw, Son & Thompson, Agents”, dating it between 1894 and 1900, and one is signed on the foot “S Maw, Son & Thompson, London”. But Crouch’s name does not appear, and there is no serial number. Considering that these were made specifically for them by Henry Crouch, it is highly likely that Crouch did the same for F. Darton & Co London. Estimate: 300-600