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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
215 (E.
Lennie; drum microscope; late 19th century)
The company of James Lennie,
an optician and instrument maker, was founded around 1835 in South Bridge,
Edinburgh, but by 1840 it was located at 14 Leith Street. The firm traded
from 14 Leith Street until 1857 when they moved to 46 Princes Street, also in
Edinburgh. James died in 1854 but his widow Eliza Lennie carried on the
business. Soon after James’ death, the firm traded under the name E. Lennie
and was listed as optician, manufacturer of photographic apparatus, eyeglass and spectacle makers. After Eliza died in 1901,
the company was still shown in the directories as E. Lennie until 1903, when
the name changed to J & J Lennie. Her sons, John
and Joseph, ran the business until at least 1912.The firm appears to be
handed down the generations moving to 5 Castle Street in 1954, and then being
incorporated by J Turnbull & Co and moving again to 56 George Street in
1959 until 1971. The firm sold a wide range of optical instruments, including
telescopes and microscopes, but they did not manufacture most of their items.
They are known to have sold instruments made by well-known companies such as Negretti & Zambra.
Microscope 215 is a simple drum microscope that should be dated to the late
19th century. The instrument is not labelled but its original wooden box
contains a stamped label with the inscription ‘E. LENNIE, OPTICIAN, 46
PRINCES ST., EDINBURGH’. LAST
EDITED: 20.11.2021 |
