Microscope by G. & S. Merz, Munich, c. 1860–70

Signature on the tube "G. & S. Merz in Munich N. 1.876", original lacquered and burnished brass, height 11 in., 2 objectives (1/3" and 1/12") in signed brass containers, 3 eyepieces (nos. 1, 1 ? and 2), coarse adjustment via sliding tube, fine adjustment via knurled screw under the column, the concave mirror is slightly fogged, the flat mirror is in perfect condition, substage pinhole aperture disc, in good optical and mechanical condition, in wood case with an enclosed magnification table for the present device number. This microscope from Merz, Fraunhofer's successor, is original in all parts and is a typical example of this company's work. G. Merz joined the Optical Mechanical Institute of Utzschneider, Fraunhofer and Reichenbach in 1808. In 1839, G. Merz took over the company and continued to run it with his sons.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)