Information required on:
The microscope makers 'Ch. Bianchetti and
Cie', Marseille, France
by Eddie Spedding, Australia
compiled by Dave Walker
Eddie Spedding of Australia has written to Micscape asking if our readers
can help with any information on the makers and model of a microscope he
possesses (illustrated below).
Eddie writes:
'I would like information on my microscope a S.F.I.O
No. 2 made by Ch. Bianchetti & Cie of Marseille. It has 3 objectives
10mm, 16mm & 1.8mm 'IMM HUILE' with a 10mm eyepiece all housed in a
wooden case.
The inscription on the tube is 'S.F.I.O.' inside a
diamond border, the identical inscription is on the three objectives and
the eyepiece, also a number on the body in front of the tube 'No 1308'
and of course the plate with the address.
Manufacture d'Instruments Nautiques
Ch.BIANCHETTI & Cie
2 Rue de la Republique
MARSEILLE'
Thank you, Eddie Spedding'
An image of the microscope is shown below. Also enclosed
with the microscope was a letter dated 1943, showing that the microscope
was loaned by a previous owner in 1940 to the Department of Health, Scotland.
Presumably microscopes were in short supply during WWII and this one was
put to good use.
If any readers can provide any information on the makers
or their microscopes, and likely date of the model shown please contact
Eddie Spedding.
The maker isn't mentioned in the book 'Notes on Modern
Microscope Manufacturers' by B. Bracegirdle, 1996 which has entries for
most makers from 1850 to the present. According to an on-line sale entry
by the UK Auction House Bonham's, there was an instrument maker I. Bianchetti
in Marseille making octants in the 19th century.
Incidentally Micscape is very pleased to publish queries
like this, as they are often of wider interest and can spark off other
interesting discussions. Please contact the Micscape Editor (contact in
footer) if you would like to do this.
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First published in August 1998 Micscape Magazine.
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