| # ROSS & Co. # Catalogue of Microscopes, Object Glasses, Accessories, &c. ## January 1875 ### and Price list and Description of New and Improved Microscopes, January 1880

These two catalogue items were supplied to us as photocopies with a note stating that the original had long since disappeared. It is the quality of the photocopy that has determined the clarity (or lack of it) of the illustrations and we are unable to do much about this. However, we feel that the material is sufficiently rare to warrant reproduction in this format. We hope that it is of use to those interested in this manufacturer. According to an advertisement in 1875 (Science Gossip) the company was established in 1830. However, the earliest address for Andrew Ross (b.1798) is 5 Albermarle Street, Clerkenwell, London, in 1832. He was known to be at 15 St. Johns Square, Clerkenwell, London (1833 - 1838); Regent Street, Piccadilly; 33 Regent Circus, London (1839-1843); 21 Featherstone Buildings, London (1843-1847); 2 Featherstone Buildings, London (1848-1853); 2 & 3 Featherstone Buildings, London (1854-1864) Andrew Ross, founder and inventor, died in 1859. Many addresses occur throughout the company's history:- 7 Wigmore Street, London (1859-1879) 164 New Bond Street, London (1877-1880) 112 New Bond Street, London (1880-1893) 111 New Bond Street, London (1885-1911) 1897 onward being known as Ross Ltd. Factory:- Haunch of Venison Yard, Brook Street (1883); Clapham Common, London, S.W. (1902) Paris Agents:- 35 Boulevard du Temple, Paris (1901) Advertised in Queketts 'Practical Treatise 2nd Ed. 1852 from 2 Featherstone Buildings, Holborn but there is no mention of preparations. In May, June and August 1877 No. CI, CII, CIV of The Monthly Microscopical Journal [Transactions of the Royal Microscopical Society] back cover is the following:- NOTICE OF REMOVAL In consequence of their Premises at 7, Wigmore Street, being required for the Extension of their Manufactory, Ross & Co. have removed THEIR SALE DEPARTMENT to their NEW ESTABLISHMENT, 164 NEW BOND STREET (corner of Grafton St., Opposite Long's Hotel) Works Only - 7, Wigmore Street, London, W. In Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society August 1890 an advertisement for Ross & Co. listing their medal awards as below:- The Grand Prix and a Gold Medal, Paris Universal Exhibition, 1889 Council Medal and Highest Award, Great Exhibition, London, 1851 Gold Medal, Paris Exposition, 1867 Medal and Highest Award, Exhibition, London, 1862 Medal and Diploma, Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876 Medal and Diploma, Antwerp, 1878 Gold Medal and Diploma, Paris Exposition, 1876 Medal highest Award, Sydney, 1879 Gold Medal, the Highest Award, Inventions Exhibition, 1885 The address in this Advertisement is 112 New Bond Street, W. (one door from Brook Street) - removed from 164 New Bond Street. Company represented at RMS meeting 30th April 1890 exhibiting Wenhams Radial Microscope. Between 1837 and 1841 J. J. Lister was involved in the company which was then called Ross & Co. The Ross factory itself was at Clapham Common and managed by Andrew Ross' son Thomas Ross (1818/1819-1870). In 1850 John Henry Dallmeyer married Andrew Ross' daughter and became a 'shareholder' in the company. After Andrews death in 1859 the company was split as Dallmeyer and Thomas Ross did not get on. Thomas continued at Wigmore Street but ceased manufacture of microscopes in 1906 when all microscopical business was referred to James Swift. 1837-1841 - Andw. Ross & Co., Opticians, 33 Regent St, Picadilly 1841-1847 - Andw. Ross, Optician, London 1847-1859 - A. Ross. London. Thereafter Ross, London, and also Ross & CO. ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisement July 1867 issue of Popular Science Review - see below:- Science Gossip January 1875 Advertisement inside rear cover Ross & Co. 7 Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square, London, W (Established 1830). In Science Gossip Advertisement inside front cover December 1880 as Ross & Co. 164 New Bond Street, London. The Microscopical News and Northern Microscopist No. 30 Vol. III of June 1883, front cover bore the following:- In 1896 Ross & Co. appears as a customer of Elizabeth Eleanor Dancer. It is not indicated what price was being paid by the company for micro-photographs but it was likely to be in the region of 7/6d per dozen, the retail value of which was 12/-.

Go to Catalogue January 1875
Go to Price List January 1880