Antique Brass Binocular Microscope In Case by Joseph Casartelli 1859 AWESOME!

Description

A very rare and important antique brass binocular microscope by Joseph Casartelli, Manchester 1859.  As far as I am aware this is the only binocular microscope by this rare maker in existence.  I have never restored it and it comes in the original mahogany case as shown.  Manchester dust from age attests to its originality and authenticity, and the microscope is complete as shown.
One internet source erroneously claims Casartelli microscopes are common and turn up at auction relatively often, however this claim is false as Casartelli is not listed in Bracegirdle's book on Microscope Manufacturers, different editions of Carpenter, Hogg or other microscope books.  However, as Casartelli was known for the manufacture of smaller scientific instruments, barometers, optics, microphotographs and other items including some telescopes, it is probable that the author made an incorrect assumption regarding microscopes.  I only know of one other Joseph Casartelli, Manchester microscope, and it has a single objective tube.  There is a possible third one with no mention of its type or features, but it resides in a museum and no pictures are available.
Both known Casartelli, Manchester microscopes have described number 1 claw foot, bar limb design bases which resemble those of Andrew Ross.
Joseph Casartelli emigrated to Liverpool, England in 1834 with his family and joined a relatives thermometer and barometer making business, expanding into scientific, engineering, and surveying instrument manufacturing in early Victorian England.  Joseph showed exceptional talent for making instruments too and after marrying Jane Henrietta Ronchetti 1851; subsequently purchased Joshua Ronchetti's instrument making business in Manchester.  Two biographical sources on the internet mention dates and general information and state Joseph attended the International Exhibition of 1862 in London along with 17 other microscope makers including Andrew Ross, Powell & Lealand, Smith Beck & Beck, and W. J. Salmon.  He received no special mention or merits for the quality of his microscopes, yet other smaller makers including Salmon, did.  It is believed he was discouraged and therefore shifted his business goals to continue manufacturing the smaller and more specialized instruments he and his family were known for.
In my opinion this is a half truth on the surface.
Victorian England was fraught with discrimination, religious persecution and intolerance for those people and cultures seen as inferior.  However, England's borders were open to immigration; and as a result; large numbers of Germans, Italians, Irish and Jews moved there.  If you read the books of Charles Dickens you will understand how high tensions really were among the general population.  The government allegedly opened its arms to the Italians and Germans, but the opinions of the local people were what truly mattered.
As for religion, following King Henry VIII and the creation of the Protestant faith; being Catholic or Protestant could be dangerous and had its drawbacks depending on where you were at the time.  Being Jewish was much harder.  Sadly, religious persecution has endured for thousands of years and is still commonplace today.
As fate would have it, the Casartelli family were Italian and devout Catholics; a possible double negative depending on the local neighbors; so it is logical to conclude the aristocracy, scientific community and the wealthy would naturally and far more frequently purchase English made instruments over Italian ones.  Moreover, sales were primarily driven by word of mouth and trade cards.  During the 1862 London exhibition the focus was on the skills of British engineering, and Casartelli's microscopes had been downplayed as rather ordinary and not particularly innovative; and these comments were published in the press.  Naturally, because microscopes were large and very expensive to make, these statements caused great harm and leave little doubt in my mind as to why Casartelli abandoned them after only making a very small number on a custom / special order basis and therefore refocused on making many other smaller instruments and specialty items
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Rest assured it will be packed very carefully with plenty of bubble wrap to ensure safe delivery.
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I ship worldwide. Do not rely on the eBay shipping calculator! All items are custom packaged after the sale when I have a destination address.  In most cases your shipping cost will be much less depending on the carrier used. If you would like an approximate shipping quote before you bid, just send me an email. I use many different shippers to save you money and can usually accommodate special requests.
Please see the pics which do not do it justice.