A rare Improved Griffith Club microscope, patent date 1886. The base is inscribed "E.H. GRIFFITH, PAT. DEC. 14, 86 / FAIRPORT, N.Y." with a serial number of 868. Sliding tube coarse focus adjustment and knob fine focus adjustment, with adjustable lamp and two Bausch and Lomb lenses. Original velvet-lined leather case (also marked with the 868 serial number). Invented by Ezra Griffith and for a time produced in association with Bausch and Lomb, known Griffith Club microscope serial numbers range from about 107-1070, with very few examples surviving in good condition.

The three lenses read: (1) "Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. 1/5" with tube, (2) "Univ. of MO Zoology 16mm 0.25 Bausch & Lomb Opt. Co. N.A. 10x 125," and (3) "Univ. of MO Zoology 163 10x".

The case measures 4 x 9.5 x 7 inches. The microscope is adjustable in size, but generally measures about 10.5 x 11 x 7 inches when set up.

Source: Microscope-Antiques

Good condition. Adjustable mechanisms are in working order, noting only that the two prongs connecting the lamp arm only easily slide halfway into the sockets on the side of the microscope's base. There is no oil lamp present. There is a good amount of tarnish to the brass, which may be cleaned if so desired. The leather-covered exterior of the case is in poor condition, which is true of all surviving examples of which we are aware.