Niners Remember April 30 · Items · Atkins Library: Exhibits

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Oberhaeuser Drum Microscope

The drum-style compound microscope is crafted from brass and stands on a lead-weighted circular base. The designer of the instrument, Georg Johann Oberhaeuser (1798-1868) established a microscope-making business in Paris in the 1830s. The instrument is signed "G. Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine, Paris" on the body tube. Due to the drum-style design, the substage mirror sits in a cylinder compartment with a square cut-out, by which the light can reach the mirror. On either side of the compartment are small thumbscrews that allow the position of the mirror to be adjusted. Above the mirror is a wheel of apertures mounted to the stage that can be rotated to control the amount of light that reaches the specimen. The square stage has two stage clips to hold slides in place. The column pillar connects the stage to the body tube. Another aspect of this design is that the microscope cannot be angled and so must stand completely straight when being used. Coarse focusing is, unusually, by a rack and pinion mechanism. The style usually included a sliding mechanism for focusing, and so this instrument may have been a custom order. The two threaded holes in the base suggest that the microscope was mounted to a desk for industrial or scientific use.
Student Drum Microscope

The Martin-type microscope is made from brass and has a circular base. The substage mirror is located in a circular cut out beneath the circular stage. The sub-stage mirror can be rotated by a thumbscrew on the side of the microscope. The instrument has a hinged magnifier above the cut out that contains the stage, and can be maneuvered to catch the light. Coarse focusing is achieved by sliding the body-tube closer and further from the stage. The wooden case is designed along a "coffin" style and is secured by brass swing hooks. The case has compartments to hold slides and accessories.
Chevallier-Type Top Mounted Microscope

The compound microscope is made from lacquered brass. The pillar is screwed into a socket screw that secures the microscope to the top of the case. At the top of the pillar is an inclination joint which allows the microscope to be angled for observation. The body-tube can be slide into an attachment on the arm. Coarse focusing is achieved by sliding the body-tube through the draw-tube closer or further from the stage. The rectangular mechanical stage has an attachment that holds the specimen in place as well as a bulls-eye condenser which is attached via a pin. The specimen can be adjusted vertically by the thumbscrew on the side. The microscope also has a sub-stage iris diaphragm which rotates via a pin attachment. There is also a thumbscrew located underneath the stage that controls the space between the iris diaphragm and the stage. The sub-stage mirror is one-sided and is held in a gimbal. The case is made from mahogany and has compartments to hold the dissembled microscope. The case has a functional lock and key.
Nachet et Fils Microscope

The compound microscope is made from brass and japanned cast iron. The instrument is signed "NACHET ET FILS 17 Rue St Severin Paris" at the front of the arm attachment which holds the body tube. The microscope stands on a H-shaped foot which is painted black and connected to the pillar. The pillar is curved and has a inclination joint which allows the microscope to be angled for observation. The sub-stage concave mirror is connected to the square stage by a gimbal and pin. The stage has two clips that hold the specimen for observation. The objective has three lens attachments and coarse focusing functions via a sliding mechanism of the body-tube through the draw tube. Fine focusing is controlled by the small thumbscrew located at the top of the limb.
Drum Compound Microscope

The drum compound microscope is made of brass. The style was manufactured in France, Germany and England and sold throughout the United States and Europe. Many of the microscopes manufactured using this design were unsigned due to the huge quantities sold by various makers. The microscope consists of a body-tube suspended by a tubular base above a circular specimen platform. Coarse focus functions by moving the body-tube closer or further away from the specimen platform via a sliding mechanism operated by a thumbscrew. There is also a concave sub-stage mirror located at the bottom of the microscope. The "coffin-style" mahogany case has compartments for the microscope, slides and accessories. There was a small, decorative plaque on the top of the lid, however, it is no longer attached to the case. The case is secured via a lock and key; however, the key is not present with the microscope.
Drum Compound Microscope

The drum compound microscope is made from lacquered brass. The style was manufactured in France, Germany and England and sold throughout the United States and Europe. Many of the microscopes manufactured using this design were unsigned due to the huge quantities sold by various makers. The microscope consists of a body tube suspended by a tubular base above a circular specimen platform. The body tube is moved closer or further away from the specimen platform to coarse focus via a sliding mechanism. There is also a concave substage mirror located in the bottom of the microscope, which can be seen through a circular cut out. The "coffin-style" wooden case has compartment for the microscope and slides. The case is secured with two swing hooks. The microscope comes with the following accessories: 3 cardboard prepared slides.
Drum Compound Microscope

The drum compound is made of lacquered brass. This style was manufactured in France, Germany and England and sold throughout the United States and Europe. Many of the microscopes manufactured using this design were unsigned due to the huge quantities sold by various makers. The microscope consists of a body tube suspended by a tubular base above a circular specimen platform. Coarse focusing is achieved via a sliding mechanism in which the body tube is moved closer or further away from the specimen platform. A bullseye condenser is attached to the front of the microscope which can be adjusted via the double-jointed arm. There is also a concave substage mirror located in the bottom of the microscope, which can be seen through a square cut out. The mirror can be adjusted by thumbscrews on either side of the microscope, however, the mirror is detached on one side. The "coffin-style" wooden case has compartment for the microscope and slides. The case is secured with two swing hooks.
Drum Compound Microscope

The drum compound microscope is made of lacquered brass. The style was manufactured in France, Germany and England and sold throughout the United States and Europe. Many of the microscopes manufactured using this design were unsigned due to the huge quantities sold by various makers. The microscope consists of a body tube suspended by a tubular base above a specimen platform. The body tube is moved closer or further away from the specimen platform to focus via a sliding mechanism. There is also a concave substage mirror located in the bottom of the microscope, which can be seen through a square cut out. The mirror can be adjusted by thumbscrews on either side of the microscope. The thumbscrew for the rotation of the mirror has the word "France" engraved in it. The fitted case is designed along a "coffin-style" that is secured with two small swing hooks. One of the hinges that holds the top is broken. The case has a small compartment to hold slides or accessories. The inside of the case has a paper plastered on it that reads: "GROSSISSEMENT. 1 lentille....30 fois.
Drum Compound Microscope

The drum compound microscope is made from lacquered brass. The design of the instrument is French and was used by scientists and students in the field as it's compact size made it easy to use outside the laboratory. The focusing is done by moving the draw-tube closer or further away from the fixed circular stage. The substage mirror is one-sided and is plano-concave. The base is weighted in order to balance the microscope.
Drum Compound Microscope

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.
Student Compound Microscope

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.
Cary-Gould type Monocular Microscope

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.