German, engraved to the stage, 'Carl Zeiss Jena, 29212' the microscope on a black lacquered brass 'Y' shaped base with all nickel plated fittings with blued steel screws, with 2 french polished folding hand rests, the French polished mahogany case with stage fittings, objective holders, 2 objectives both engraved 'Verbess plan lupe Carl Zeiss Jena, and a Brucke dissecting lens an a leather case, case height 23cm Paul Mayer (1848-1923) was a prominent figure in the field of microscopy. Following his education as a pharmacist, he earned his doctoral degree in 1874 under the guidance of Ernst Haeckel at the University of Jena. Subsequently, Mayer embarked on a career at the Naples Zoological Station, serving as an assistant from 1878 until his retirement in 1913. During his tenure at the research facility in Italy, Mayer made significant contributions to the field of microscopy, when in 1885 he introduced this dissecting stand which was built by Carl Zeiss Jena.