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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
284 (G.
Cartwright & Son; folding linen tester; late 19th century to the early
20th century)
G.
Cartwright & Son were opticians established in 1820, based at 11,
Fishergate, Preston, England. The firm continued trading into the 20th
century. Microscope 284 is a folding linen tester, or linen prover, engraved
with ‘G. Cartwright & Son, Preston’ and ‘British made’. The instrument
should be dated from the late 19th century to the early 20th century and
would be used for counting threads in fabrics (the number of threads per unit
of length provides evidence of a higher quality of cloth). These instruments
fold flat for storing and transport and form a 'C' shape when in use. The
earliest forms have a simple standard opening on the base, but later versions
have an opening marked with calibrations of some kind. These types of linen
testers have been made and sold by many companies since at least the early
19th century and were rarely signed by their makers or retailers.
Figure
1.
Advert of the company G. Cartwright & Son dated to the late 19th to the
early 20th century LAST
EDITED: 02.10.2022 |
