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The drum compound microscope is made from lacquered brass. This design made the microscope easy to use in the field by scientists. The focusing is done by moving the draw-tube closer or further away from the fixed circular stage. The design is French and has a one-sided substage plano-concave mirror located underneath the stage. The base is weighted in order to balance the microscope.
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The pocket microscope is set in a bone frame. Invented by the third Earl of Stanhope, the Stanhope lens is moderately powerful and was used to inspect specimens or read small prints. This type of lens was used in "Stanhopes," small objects with micro-photographs inside to be viewed through the lens. These instruments were used mainly as novelty items.
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The microscope is gold plated on brass. A Coddington magnifier is a magnifying glass consisting of a single very thick lens with a central deep groove diaphragm at the equator, thus limiting the rays to those close to the axis, which again minimizes spherical aberration. This allows for higher magnification than conventional magnifying glass, typically 10× up to 20×. Most single lens magnifiers are limited to 5× or so before significant distortion occurs. The drawback is that the diaphragm groove reduces the area seen through the magnifier.
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The monocular compound microscope has a tripod base with the arm and stage in a cradle joint. The stage revolves, and has two indexed swinging arms below the stage. These arms are dovetailed for the substage condenser, which has a wheel of stops and a swing out holder for a dark field disk (which is present,) and for the concave mirror, which can swing below or above the stage. It has a single nosepiece and on the arm, below the focus knobs, are the patent dates for October 1876 and October 1885. "Bausch & Lomb Optical Co" is engraved on the revolving stage. The microscope has a single draw tube which is nickel plated. This microscope is very similar to number 170 in Billings Collection, noting that it has a single nosepiece and a single draw tube. The case is in serviceable condition, but shows the signs of extensive use. There are cracks on the back, the bottom has a crude repair on the front under the door. The lock is complete and seems to be functional, but the locking tab has been removed from the door and a swinging home made latch secures the door closed instead. The key is present in the drawer in the case. The top handle is missing and there is a picture of a dignified man on a Tennessee Walking Horse pasted on the back inside of the case.
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The microscope is a "Edinburgh Model C" with mechanically stage. The microscope is engraved in block letters on the foot "W. Watson & Sons, 313 High Holborn, London." There is also a serial number "2754" on the side of the base. In addition, it includes a brass plaque attached to the foot, which reads as follows, “PRESENTED TO William Anstey BY HIS MOTHER, BROTHERS & SISTERS. In loving recognition of his untiring devotion TO THE WELFARE OF THE FAMILY, MARCH 1892.” Due to the fact that Watson did not take on this name for the firm until the year 1908, it would appear that the stage was added to this microscope as an accessory sometime after that year. A heavy solid Japanned brass Y-shaped foot supports a solid brass pillar at the top of which is a movable joint that joins the pillar to the stage, which in turn supports the limb of the microscope. This joint just below the stage allows the microscope to be tilted to any comfortable angle for viewing. It has a rack and pinion main focusing system and a thumb wheel micrometer fine focusing system via a spring-loaded lever system extending through the limb. Atop the main stage is a supplemental mechanical stage with dual thumb wheel “X –Y” controls extending to the side. The stage is engraved with the inscription, “W. Watson & Sons, Ltd., London”. The body-tube includes a draw-tube, which is engraved with various tube settings. An eyepiece (unmarked as to magnifying power) is found at the top of the body-tube. Under the stage is a swing-out brass housing for a condenser, but no condenser is present. Also under the stage is an adjustable stem with a nice adjustable plano-concave mirror. The mahogany case is of dovetail construction and is equipped with a brass carrying handle at the top. It accommodates the microscope and there is a wood rack inside the right side of the case that nicely accommodates the mechanical stage.
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The small case-mounted Cary-Gould style microscope can be fully dissembled to fit into the case. The limb of the compound microscope is permanently connected to the inside of the case. The substage mirror can be attached via pin to the limb. The circular stage is attached to the rack and pinion compartment by a pin and can be focused by moving the stage via the small thumbscrew. The body-tube can be screwed into the arm on the top of limb and is held in place by screwing the objective into the underside of the body-tube attachment. The original fitted mahogany case has a small brass plaque mounted on the top. The case is lined with green velvet and is separated into compartments for the microscope to dissemble and fit.
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The Coddington lens was invented in 1829 by Henry Coddington. This microscope is made from brass and wood and contains a single lens with two curved sides and a groove cut around the middle of the lens which acts as a lens stop. The microscope offers a clear image from 1 inch away from the front objective lens. This microscope was used in the field by botanists and naturalists due to its small size, good magnification and portability.
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The brass, compound microscope was designed by the Ross pattern with a Y-shaped foot screwed to a mahogany board which slides into the case. The stand is the Baker #2 stand advertised in 1862. The coarse focusing is operated by rack work and fine focusing by thumb-wheel on the nose-piece. The circular stage has a centering bar that slides along the stage for positioning the specimen. Below the stage is an adjustable Abbe condenser that moves with its own rack work and adjusting thumb screws. The condenser has a slide out holder for filters and the substage mirror is concave and one sided. The microscope has three eye-pieces of different magnification and is signed on the foot "Baker, 244 High Holborn, London." The mahogany case is fitted and has compartments to hold the objectives and slides.
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The French student-design microscope is made from lacquered brass. The rounded base is painted gold and green, and mounted on a ball and socket foot. The microscope has a bullseye condenser attached via an arm to the body tube which can swivel and adjust via a ball and socket joint. Coarse focusing is achieved via a rack and pinion mechanism controlled by the thumbscrew attached to the body tube. The lower section of the pillar has a single, one-sided mirror on a gimbal and pin, and a fixed circular stage. Beneath the stage is a revolving disc of 3 diaphragms that may be moved from the right side or from the front. Above the stage is a sliding casing on a pillar with a U-shaped slide holder. The fitted mahogany case is "coffin-style" and is secured via two swinging hooks. The case has compartment that holds the forcep as well as attachments that secure the microscope in the case.
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The monocular microscope has a cast iron horseshoe base. The pillar, cast as one piece, and the limb is made of iron and painted black. The brass arm supports the body-tube, which has a triple nosepiece. The coarse adjustment is by rack work, and the screw for fine adjusting is on top of the limb. Below the square stage are a swinging Abbe condenser, an iris diaphragm, and a concave substage double mirror. The microscope is signed: "Bausch & Lomb Optical Co. Rochester, N.Y." Serial number 104100 is engraved at the end of the tube. The wooden carrying box has a crack in the back of the box from top to bottom. The case has some signs of wear and tear with a lock without a key.
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Marratt & Short compound brass microscope is mounted on a wooden platform. The monocular microscope is signed on the stand "MARRATT & SHORT 63 King Willm Str. LONDON BRIDGE". Marratt & Short were opticians who offered sight testing and constructed artificial eyes as well as scientific instruments. The microscope has a Y-shaped foot, which stands on a wooden platform. The substage mirror is concave and attached to the lower limb of the microscope. The body-tube screws into an attachment on the top of the limb. The microscope focuses via a rack and pinion adjustment, operated by thumb screws on either side of the limb. The stage has a slide holder that can be adjusted via sliding. The microscope can be dissembled to fit inside the case. The mahogany case has a brass carrying handle, working key and lock, and interior slide drawers.
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The small compound and simple monocular microscope retains its original gold lacquer. This Cary-Gould type microscope includes a fitted case which acts as the base. The microscope base is a ball and socket joint which is connected to the arm. The concave mirror is connected to the arm, and the body-tube screws into an circular extension of the arm. The limb mounted bulls-eye condenser and stage forceps are detachable and can be connected to the stage through small holes. The stage is focused by rack and pinion via a thumb screw located at the end of the body-tube. The microscope can be used as a compound microscope by using the body-tube and eye piece; however, the objective lenses can be screwed into the arm to change the function to a low-power simple microscope. The microscope can be disassembled and fit into the case for easy portability. The original mahogany box has a functional lock and key. The microscope arm is attached to the inner right side of the case.
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The microscope is set in turned ox bone handle with small lens. Invented by the third Earl of Stanhope, Stanhope lens are moderately powerful and were used to inspect specimen as well as reading small print. This type of lens was used in "Stanhopes," small everyday objects with micro-photographs inside to be viewed through the lens.
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Invented in 1829 by Henry Coddington, this brass and wooden microscope is made up of a single lens with two curved sides and a groove cut around the middle of the lens which acts as a lens stop. The microscope offers an image from 1" of the front objective. This microscope was used in the field by botanists and naturalists due to its small size and good magnification.
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The "Sentry-Box" type of compound microscope is one of several types of instruments, all made of wood and decorated cardboard, manufactured in the toy district of Bavaria, Germany (near Nuremberg.) The main styles included a Culpeper-type, Sentry box-type, Solar, and Side Pillar-type. These monocular microscopes were all made in the same style with only minor variations in the decorations for nearly half a century. This microscope is signed by "JFF" within a heart, one of a few known signatures often appearing on these instruments.
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The microscope consists of a glass cylinder capped with brass ends. An object pin with a brass knob is inserted into the lower brass end. The instrument has two optic lenses to allow for magnification.
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The brass compound microscope was created by Negretti & Zambra, London. The monocular microscope is signed on the foot "Negretti & Zambra, London" as well as on the lids of the objectives. There is also a trade label at the back of the cabinet. The microscope stands on a Y-shaped base with attractive chase work to the brass below the golden lacquering. The base is mounted to a wooden platform. The main body of the microscope is supported on a single turned column that terminates in a compass-type joint. At the base of the microscope is a single sided concave mirror in a gimbal. The stage is finished again in chase work below the golden lacquer. The stage is quite simple with just a wheel of stops below and a pair of clips to the top. Focusing is via rack work to the back of a triangular sectioned bar. At the top of the bar is a simple limb held in place with a knurled wheel. The body-tube screws into the limb. The French polished mahogany cabinet has a glazed door, brass carry handle and lock with key.
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The handle of the waistcoat microscope is made from either bone or ivory. Invented by the third Earl of Stanhope, Stanhope lenses were moderately powerful and used to inspect specimens as well as read small prints. This type of lens was used in "Stanhopes," small novelty objects that contained microphotographs inside to be viewed using the lens.
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Brass compound microscope claw-footed base mounted on a wooden platform. The design follows the Society of Art pattern. The cross-section limb pivots on trunnions attached to the stage. The body-tube screws into the bar attached to the top of the limb. The microscope has coarse focusing via rack and pinion and fine focusing by a thumb wheel near the bottom of the body tube. The square stage has a detachable dissecting forceps that connects via a pin. There is a substage concave mirror mounted on the end of the limb. The mahogany fitted case has a brass handle. The case has sections to hold canisters and accessories as well as the disassembled sections of the microscope.
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The instrument is a Cary-type folding-foot brass microscope. This is an unusual design of the Cary- type. Traditionally, the microscope attaches to the lid of the case, acting as a base for the microscope. In this design, however, the microscope is free standing. The body-tube, stage, and mirror are detachable, and the microscope has coarse adjustment. The case is made from mahogany, and the interior is lined with blue velvet. The case is separated into compartments for the objectives and accessories. The case is secured with two brass swing clips.
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The small student drum-shaped compound microscope is signed "J. H. Steward. Optician. London" on the base. The company was located at 406 Strand, London in 1856 and they became opticians to "Her Majestys Government and the National Artillery Associations." The microscope has a draw-tube which slides up and down to focus, a fixed circular stage and a circular substage mirror attached by small pins on either side of the microscope. The mahogany fitted case is lined with black velvet and has two original brass swing clips to secure the lid.
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The student monocular microscope is manufactured by Charles Collins. Made from brass, the compound microscope is engraved on the modified Crouch-style foot: "C. Collins Optician 157 Gt Portland St London." Collins designed the tube of these microscopes to be uncommonly large in diameter so that eyepieces from all his microscopes could be interchangeable. The microscope has concave mirror, coarse and fine focus as well as a substage stop wheel. Collins' microscopes were good quality, reasonably priced equipment that were considered inferior to high-priced makers such as Powell and Lealand, or Ross. However, this would not effect Collins' popularity as his market were mainly amateurs, students and medical professionals.
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Complete boxed botanical field microscope which can be disassembled to fit into the case. The case acts as the microscope stand, and the kit includes a mirror, mounted dissecting tweezers, forceps, 3 objective lenses and 1 stage. The fitted case is wooden and lined with red velvet on the inside. There is a circular section in the middle of the lid to screw in the microscope. The case is secured with two swing clips.
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This Georgian miniature brass field microscope has a turned ivory handle, specimen pin, and a pair of lenses that screws into the top. The lens arm and handle are hinged to the slotted bar so that the instrument can be folded and fitted into a small case. Popular during the nineteenth century, this microscope is similar to a model produced by W & S Jones, a successful British optician, and manufacturer of scientific instruments. The finish on the microscope is lacquered brass. The microscope has a fitted papier-mâché case that is painted black.
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The microscope follows an early Victorian design which is similar to those built by Pritchard and Horne & Thornthwaite around 1840. The microscope has a pre-RMS (Royal Microscopical Society) thread and optics probably manufactured in France although the overall construction of the instrument is British. The microscope itself stands on a heavy lacquered brass lead filled base with a supporting pillar screwed into the center. At the top of the pillar is a compass type joint on which the limb pivots. An unusual feature of the construction of this particular instrument is the way that the focusing pinion is held tight between two separate parts of the limb. A gimbaled mirror with a white plaster reflective back is located at the end of the limb; above this is the simple stage with filigree patterning and a slide clip. The body tube is supported on a stepped piece of brass at the top of the triangular bar. The French mahogany cabinet with campaign type recessed handle on the top with lock and key missing. Also has fitted drawer for accessories.
