Andrew Pritchard (1804-1882) After serving his apprenticeship with Cornelius Varley, Pritchard set-up on his own in Picket Street, London. Along with C.R. Goring, he published a number of books on microscopy, including The Microscopic Cabinet and The Natural History of of the Animalcules. The Prichard-Model Achromatic microscope appeared in 1834, the same year as Hugh Powell began making acromatic microscopes. It is probable that Powell made for Pritchard, and there are many similarities between the two models (see lot 294). This new form was quite advanced and became very popular, especially with the amateur geologist, whom Pritchard encouraged. By 1836 he was operating form 263 Strand, followed in 1838 by his final move to 163 Fleet Street. As both the Strand and Fleet Street addresses appear on this example (although tis one is for 162 not 163 Fleet St.) it is possible that it was either constructed around the time of the move, or was up-dated with a new body-tube at a later date.

Pritchard was fairly conservative in his views on the microscope, consequently his model changed very little over the twenty years it was offered. Indeed, by the early 1840's there was already stiff competition from the likes of Hugh Powell and Andrew Ross, who were offering more advanced microscopes. This may have led to his early retirement. He died a comparitivly wealthy man, but it is unlikely his wealth was derived form the microscope or his writings, but was probably a combination of the success of his opticians business and an inheritance. The fact that his retirement was spent in the study of microscopy one may refer to his developments of the microscope as as much a "labour of love" as a business interest.