Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope, drawing and projection apparatus “Promi” by W & H Seibert

Microscope, drawing and projection apparatus “Promi” by W & H Seibert, probably dated from the 1930s. The instrument is engraved with “W & H Seibert, Wetzlar” and the serial number 32222. This instrument was described in an article by Paul Hedicke in 1927 (Figure 1). Wilhelm and Heinrich Seibert were brothers who worked for Carl Kellner’s optical business in the 1850s, in Wetzlar, together with Ernst Gundlach. In 1859, Gundlach started his own microscope manufacturing firm, and the Seibert brothers also joined this company as employees. This company entered in debt and Gundlach left for England in 1860. Later, in 1865, Gundlach returned and, this time in Berlin, he started a new optical firm to which the Seibert brothers also joined in about 1866. In 1872, the Seibert brothers joined Georg Krafft and bought the firm from Gundlach, and he emigrated to the USA. The firm moved to Wetzlar and was initially named Seibert & Krafft (1871 – 1884). In 1884, the firm changed the name to W & H Seibert.

Note: item kindly donated by Mark Hobbs (Caterham, England) in November 2023.

Figure 1. Microscope, drawing and projection apparatus “Promi” by W & H Seibert, as featured in a 1927 article by Paul Hedicke entitled “Ein neuer Zeichenapparat, speziell für entomologische Zwecke”, published in the journal “Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift (Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift und Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift in Vereinigung)”: (A) the instrument as a drawing device; (B) the instrument with tube, eyepiece, light source and object holder for insects and other objects; and (C) the instrument as a microscope.