The Weird but Graceful Leitz Riser Finally Arrives from Penn State

[ebenbildmicroscopy]

So, in a previous post, I highlighted this weird Leitz riser platform I bought from Penn State Surplus property. Because they're not in the shipping business, I had a connection who picked this thing up Labor Day weekend and just delivered it to my hands on Thursday.

It had some original paperwork with it that establishes it's provenance as to supplier and owner/user. It was acquired by the late Dr. Albert Traverse (1925-2015) who was an icon in the field of "palynology" or the study of pollen grains and other spores, especially as found in archaeological or geological deposits. Traverse was apparently a pioneer in applying this study to petro-chemical deposits. The supplier of the platform was Bunton Instrument of Maryland and they shipped it in 1969 - I'm planning on asking James Averill about this since he's probably the actual person who shipped it back then!

It's an aluminum casting with 3 machined bosses that are cast in to the top. The bosses not only provide a solid, machined surface for Ortholux feet amid a field of crinkle paint, but also add thickness for threading the scope locator tabs. There's about 1 mm of play in the tabs that allows for very exacting positioning of an Ortholux. The platform raises an Ortholux off the table precisely 3 inches. I stated in my original post, I don't believe this platform was intended as an illuminator riser but instead as either part of a projection outfit or to allow more ergonomic use of an Ortholux while standing at a lab bench. One of the Ortholux knobs has been very crudely adapted with a larger notched knob that would lend credence to this being used in a darkened room.

If anyone has ever seen this beauty in a catalog, please post a pic and tell me more about it. I've been an Ortholux hoarder for twenty years and I've NEVER seen another one!

[ebenbildmicroscopy]

This is a pic of the very crudely modified y axis knob of the Ortholux. It was done by such primitive means, they even used a spur gear as a spacer between the top of the Leitz knob and the stage interface.

[MichaelG.]

Thanks for sharing those excellent photos
I was fascinated by this 'riser' when you first showed it ... and I remain so.

MichaelG.

[ebenbildmicroscopy]

Absolutely, MichaelG!

My plans for this setup are to leave it completely intact as I got it - more or less a museum exhibit. I love those periplan eyepieces but I've got other sets so I'm gonna honor this rig as it was used. I've got to find a Leitz light meter/photoelectric cell that should be on the side of that camera adapter and I will use that in some YouTube videos I have planned, but even that component will "live" on this setup unless it's in use.

I've got a lovely picture of Dr. Traverse and his wife from the internet that I'll display on the wall behind it along with the original 1969 paperwork for the riser.

[apochronaut]

What a fine accessory to have . Crackle paint too. I can still remember the smell of it from old projectors.

[Radazz]

The only way I’ve discovered so far to make black Krinkle finish shine is just a tiny bit of mineral oil.
Less is more.

[MichaelG.]

I have not tried it, but this may be of interest:
https://www.frost.co.uk/how-to-use-vht- ... nish-paint

MichaelG.