Lot 69
69
An early 19th-Century brass and stained oak naturalist's botanical microscope walking stick,
An early 19th-Century brass and stained oak naturalist's botanical microscope walking stick,

An early 19th-Century brass and stained oak naturalist's botanical microscope walking stick,

Details
An early 19th-Century brass and stained oak naturalist's botanical microscope walking stick,
unsigned, the 34-inch (86.4cm.) long stained oak walking stick with brass fittings and steel and brass threaded cap at the bottom, unscrewing to allow the retraction of the folding brass tripod stand, the top cap threaded for removal to reveal a paper-lined recess into which fits small brass Withering-type botanical microscope, threaded to attach to the upper side of the top cap, with three (of four) numbered lenses, threaded to screw together for storage, live box, stage forceps and sub-stage mirror -- 49¾in. (126.4cm.) high when open

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Lot Essay

Microscope walking sticks are extremely rare, and the example here offered is early than those shown in the reference works on "gadget" canes. The miscroscope on this example is a typical Withington-type, almost certainly customized for integration with the stick. It was probably custom-made for an English country gentleman naturalist, for use whilst walking on his estate.