Lot 91: A Vintage Merit English Toy Microscope Set by J. & L. Randall Ltd.
A vintage English-made toy microscope set manufactured by J. & L. Randall Ltd. The instrument is constructed with a black crinkle-finish cast metal frame and a chrome-plated draw tube and adjustment components. It features a manual rack and pinion focusing mechanism operated by dual knurled side knobs, a square stage with metal slide clips, and a pivoting sub-stage mirror for light reflection. A circular logo is present on the side of the main tube housing, consisting of a printed white design with a central M-shaped Merit device surrounded by a ring containing the text MADE IN ENGLAND.
The set is accompanied by a blue plastic slide holder containing one slide and an original instruction booklet. The booklet features a monochrome illustration of the microscope on the cover and bears the printed text Merit MICROSCOPES INSTRUCTIONS AND EXPERIMENTS By S. R. STUBBS, M.Sc. The lower-left corner of the booklet includes the Merit logo and the right margin is printed J. & L. RANDALL LTD. POTTERS BAR. The components are housed within a custom-fit cardboard box insert.
Condition report:
The microscope shows some age-related wear to the black crinkle finish, particularly on the base and stage edges (photo 1). There is visible pitting and tarnishing to the chrome-plated tube and the metal housing of the mirror (photo 1). The instruction booklet exhibits significant foxing, browning, and creases, with small tears along the outer edges (photo 1). The cardboard box insert is worn, showing several creases and a tear at the front left corner (photo 1). The focusing mechanism appears intact but has not been tested for optical precision.
Share this lot: