Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 337 (PA Permuta Plastics Ltd; pocket folding microscope; 1950s)

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Microscope 337 is a simple folding microscope made by the firm PA Permuta Plastics Ltd and should be dated to the 1950s. Not much information was found about this company. The instrument is engraved with ‘FOLDING MICROSCOPE’, ‘BRITISH PATENT Nº 678050 FOREIGN PATENTS PENDING’. The focus is done by turning the eyepiece up or down, the magnification is 16x, and the light is provided by reflecting ambient light on a silvered piece of plastic. The cardboard package of this instrument is missing, but the package of another identical instrument advertised in eBay had the information “The pocket folding microscope” and “Not a toy but a scientific instrument” (Figure 1).

 

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Figure 1. The cardboard package of the pocket folding microscope of PA Permuta Plastics Ltd of another instrument advertised in eBay in June 2023