BRETON Frères, Paris, seconde moitié du XIXème siècle et postérieur

Bench of optics on rectangular box, with a drawer, in solid mahogany molded and veneered all faces, resting on four feet in toupie bronze, adjustable. The top is centered with the oval cartouche of the manufacturer "BRETON Frères, Paris, rue Dauphine 23". With a graduated ruler and accessories (different supports for lenses, mirrors, prisms, screens...), pivoting or articulated, in brass or copper, some elements blackened, and some mica or colored or colorless glass, some frosted, and their cork supports. Second Empire period, and later for some accessories. Box : H. : 18,3 cm - Length : 73,5 cm - Depth : 22,8 cm. Total length (with ruler) : 102 cm. - Total height (with ruler, without accessories): 24 cm. Stains, cracks and chips to the case, cartouche of the manufacturer veiled, to be reattached; pins of the supports of the rule missing. Some instruments incomplete, oxidized, scratched, in used condition, some screws missing. The optical bench is composed of a light source and a long rail (or ruler), graduated, intended to support various mobile, adjustable, removable and interchangeable accessories. These accessories must be aligned and can be moved or rotated in order to observe and verify many experiments. Other independent accessories can be placed on either side of the ruler to complete it according to the needs of the experiments. Bibliography : Adrien et Louis BRETON, Catalogue et prix des instruments de Physique, de Chimie, d'Optique, de Mathématiques et d'Astronomie, qui se trouvent et s'exécutent dans les magasins et ateliers de MM. BRETON Frères, Fournisseurs des Facultés, des Lycées et Collèges scientifiques, des Ecoles normales, des Séminaires et Collèges catholiques français et étrangers. Paris, Rue Dauphine, N° 23, 1852. Optical articles pp. 46-59. [BNF, department Literature and Art, V-33169. Gallica]. Our bench is similar to no. 1037, p. 53, reproduced at the bottom left of the instrument plate (between pp. 52 and 53), described as "Large diffraction apparatus entirely in copper, table and box in mahogany to enclose all the parts. (This apparatus and all accessories are entirely in accordance with the one described in the physics of M. Poullet, 4th edition)", at a price of 550 Frs.