Carl Kellner 'Bethle & Rexroth' Microscope Model IIa *

The largest microscope by Belthle & Rexroth (Carl Kellner’s successors), signed “C.KELLNER IN WETZLAR /BELTHLE & REXROTH.”, stamped serial no. 394. Made of lacquered brass and black lacquered cast and turned iron, with eyepiece no.1 and lens no.2. Note the unusual rotating stationary base, the mirror can be turned around its optical axis, with a condenser disc under the table. Extremely rare high-quality early microscope in original condition.

Carl Kellner (1826-1855) founded the Optical Institute in Wetzlar together with Moritz Hensoldt in 1849. Starting in December 1856, Friedrich Belthle (1829-1869), a former apprentice of this workshop, took over the company after marrying Kellner’s widow. Belthle heads the young company with Heinrich Friedrich Rexroth as a partner from August 1957 onwards. Ernst Leitz (1843-1920) joined the “Optical Institute” in Wetzlar in 1864 and became its sole owner in 1869. Leitz’s knowledge of serial production, which gave him an advantage over his competition, and the increasing demand for microscopes due to medical research were advantageous for the company’s rise. Together with a copy of the delivery book from 1860 showing the delivery on the 16th of October to Dr. Kaiser in Dieburg (near Darmstadt, Germany).