Buron Type Compound Microscope, Circa 1850

[BURON (Noël), attributed to]. Unsigned compound microscope with achromatic lenses, Paris, circa 1850. Brass, steel, glass, mahogany, and purple velvet; box: 26x15x9cm. Unsigned French achromatic microscope attributable to the work of the optical engineer Noël Buron. He succeeded his father in 1818 and remarkably developed the family business, becoming one of the leading French manufacturers of scientific instruments in the 1830s and 1850s. Very few instruments bearing his signature are known to exist. Buron's business model was based on export, particularly to the United States from manufacturers such as Pike and MacAllister, but also on resale in France and Europe to other manufacturers. In 1844, Buron published a major catalog of his entire production of scientific instruments, illustrated with more than 300 figures. The present microscope is exactly described there as a: "Compound microscope with achromatic lenses. Compound microscope mounted on a cylindrical copper column with rack, with three achromatic lenses, light magnifying glass for observing opaque objects and variable diaphragm under the object holder." Unlike the model presented in the catalog, this one is mounted on a round stand and not mounted on its mahogany case. Example in working order, formerly polished, without condensing magnifying glass and with no more than a jack for the stage.