Polarizing Microscopes in alphabetical order of the maker click images for more information R. Fuess, Steglitz, Berlin Nikitin-type polarizing microscope (lacquered brass with black enamel finish on the tube and black horseshoe base and arm); this type of instrument was specifically designated to accommodate a universal stage. Focus by rack-and-pinion mechanism. Circular rotating stage (diameter 9.6 cm) with 360-degree scale and vernier. The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube and the focusable Bertrand lens into the upper part. Height 38.5 cm. This instrument misses the polarizer. Signed "R. Fuess | Steglitz – Berlin | N° 2027", first half 20th century? Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with black enameled iron limb and horseshoe base. Focus by rack and pinion. Circular rotating stage (diameter 10 cm) with 360-degree scale. Polarizer (Nicol prism) with swing out condenser lens. The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube and the Bertrand lens into the upper part. Height 32 cm. Signed on the body tube "Ernst Leitz | Wetzlar | 113993" (1909). Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with black enameled iron limb and horseshoe base, in fitted mahogany case with accessories. Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focusing knob on the limb. Circular rotating stage with 360-degree scale. Polarizer (Nicol prism) with swing out condenser lens. The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube. Objectives in interchangeable centering collars. Height 31 cm. Signed on the body tube "Ernst Leitz | Wetzlar", and serial number "238821", made 1925, delivered 1926. A label on the cover of the box reads "A. GALLENKAMP & Co. LTD. | 19 & 21 | SUN STREET | FINSBURY | LONDON, E.C. " Nachet et Fils, Paris Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) in fitted mahogany case with accessories. The unconventional design was introduced c. 1880 by the Parisian microscope manufacturer and collector Jean-Alfred Nachet (Alfred) as a response to “those microscopes that require the centration of the objective by means of two buttons…”. Harry Rosenbusch’s design did indeed require the centration of the objective to the axis of stage rotation. Nachet eliminated this necessity by coupling the objective and the stage. Ernest Mallard described the present stand in 1884 as belonging to ‘Nachet’s old model’. It is one of the very first examples of its kind, made between 1878 and 1881. The signature on the base reads: “NACHET ET FILS | 17, rue St. Séverin | Paris”. Height: 39 cm. C. Reichert, Wien Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with black enameled iron horseshoe base in mahogany case with accessories. Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focus by thumbwheel micrometer. Circular rotating stage with 360-degree scale. Polarizer (Nicol prism) with swing out condenser lens. The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube. Interchangeable objectives. Height 36 cm. Signed on the backpiece "C. REICHERT WIEN", and serial number "40250", made winter 1909-1910. Seibert, Wetzlar Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with horseshoe base (black enameled iron) in mahogany case with accessories. Rough adjustment through a sliding tube and a rear column fine focus. Nicol prism with condenser lens. The analyzer may be mounted on top of the ocular. Height 34 cm. Signed on the tube "SEIBERT", box numbered "7441", ca. 1895. Seibert, Wetzlar Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with horseshoe base. Rough adjustment through a sliding tube and a rear column fine focus. Circular rotating stage (diameter: 9.5 cm). Nicol prism with condenser lens. The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube; adjustable Bertrand lens into the upper part. Height 35 cm. Signed on the tube "SEIBERT". Dated: 1900. J. Swift & Son, London Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with black lacquered brass limb and black enameled iron horseshoe base in fitted mahogany case with accessories. Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focus by thumbwheel micrometer. Circular rotating stage with 360-degree scale. Swing out polarizer (Nicol prism). The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube. Double nosepiece. Height 36 cm. Signed on the backpiece "J. SWIFT & SON | LONDON", and serial number "17067" that also figures on the cover of the case, early 20th century. J. Swift & Son, London Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with black lacquered brass limb and body tube and black enameled iron horseshoe base in fitted mahogany case with accessories. Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focus by thumbwheel micrometer. Circular rotating stage with 360-degree scale. Swing out polarizer (Nicol prism) and condenser lens. The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube. Double nosepiece. Height 35 cm. Signed on the limb "J. SWIFT & SON | LONDON", and serial number "17726", early 20th century. The instrument was originally made to be used on the Geological Survey of Great Britain. J. Swift & Son, London Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with black lacquered brass limb and black enameled iron base in fitted mahogany case with accessories. Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focus by thumbwheel micrometer. Circular rotating stage with 360-degree scale. Swing out polarizer (Nicol prism). The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube. Height 32 cm. Signed on the base "J. SWIFT & SON | LONDON", with serial number "12413" on the bottom of the base. The cover of the case is signed "UNIVERSITY | OF | LONDON". ca. 1906-1907. Voigt and Hochgesang, Göttingen Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with a distinctive triangular cross section arm. Focus by rack and pinion. Circular rotating stage (diameter 8.6 cm) with 360-degree scale and vernier. Polarizer (Nicol prism) with condenser lens. The rotating analyzer is mounted on the upper part of the body tube. Height 30 cm. Signed on the body tube "Voigt & Hochgesang | Göttingen | N° 580". Dated: 1878. Voigt and Hochgesang, Göttingen Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with a distinctive triangular cross section arm. Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focus by thumbwheel micrometer. Circular rotating stage (diameter 8.9 cm) with 360-degree scale and vernier. Polarizer (Nicol prism) with condenser lens. The rotating analyzer is mounted on the upper part of the body tube. Height 36 cm. Signed on the base "Voigt & Hochgesang | Göttingen". Dated: 1880. Watson Bros. 4 Pall Mall, London Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with original accessories in fitted mahogany case. The main frame is of the common "Lister limb" design which has been adapted for petrological use. There is a graduated rotating polarizer carried on a swing out carrier. The standard ocular for no-polarized work is replaced by a rotating analyzer also with a graduated scale.  Quartz and ¼ wave plates are mounted in brass and fit the slot in the main tube. Also supplied with a small lens to fit over the condenser and a disc of calc-spar to fit over the analyzers for stauroscopic use. Signed on foot "Watson Bros. 4 Pall Mall, London, 5159", ca. 1885 W. Watson & Sons, London Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with black lacquered body tube, black enameled iron limb and horseshoe base, in fitted mahogany case with accessories. Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focusing knob on the limb. Circular rotating stage with 360-degree scale. Swing out polarizer (Nicol prism). The analyzer (Nicol prism) is fitted on a sliding shoe into the lower part of the body tube. Height 32 cm. Signed on the body tube "W. Watson & Sons, Ltd | London", and serial number "40247", ca. 1928. Carl Zeiss, Jena Polarizing microscope (lacquered brass) with horseshoe base (black enameled iron). Main focus by rack and pinion and fine focus by thumbwheel micrometer. Circular rotating stage (diameter 10 cm) with 360-degree scale. Polarizer (Nicol prism) and swing out condenser lens, under the stage. Height: 32 cm. Signed on the tube "Carl Zeiss | Iena | N° 6929". Dated: 1884.