Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 564 (JH Steward; mineralogical microscope; early 20^th century)

James Henry Steward (1818-1896) started his business in London in 1852. Although his business started as retail business selling watches and firearms-related optical equipment, the business grew to include telescopes, binoculars, compasses, barometers, and microscopes, some of which he claimed to have made. Over the years, Steward sold many instruments with their name on the instruments, but many of these were made by others for Steward. The firm traded from 406 Strand, London (1865 – c. 1915), 66 Strand (1868 – 1888), 457 Strand (1885 – c. 1920), with various other branches. As each of James’ sons reached adulthood, they were given a subsidiary shop elsewhere in London to manage, but the establishment at 406 Strand remained as the centre of the business. After James’ death, the company continued (only being inherited through the male line) until 1975. Microscope 564 is a mineralogical microscope engraved on the base with ‘J H Steward, Strand, London’ and should be dated to the early 20^th century. The instrument also contains a retailer’s label with the inscription “Supplied by CHARDS (REG.), 10 DEVONSHIRE ROAD, FOREST HILL, S. E. 23, Phone: Forest Hill 5946”, and a similar label on the wooden box of the microscope with the inscription “Supplied by CHARDS (REG.), 10 DEVONSHIRE RD. LONDON, S. E. 23; Microscope specialists, Gemmologists, Etc.”. Together with the microscope, in the wooden box, there is a gem sample holder and a bullseye. An identical microscope can be viewed in the “Virtual Museum of the History of Mineralogy“ (accessed 17^th August 2025).