Items

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  Magnifying Glass

  The circular magnifying glass consists of two magnifying lenses. The instrument is made from brass and painted brass. The small magnifying glass can be used as a desktop magnifier and would have been used to inspect photographs or small text. The exterior of the magnifier is painted brown to imitate the appearance of wood.
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  Lens Magnifier

  The instrument has three horn-framed lenses, each with a different strength. The lenses are hinged on a joint that allows them to be swiveled out for observation. They can also be used together when the instrument is closed as there is a small lens cut out.
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  Desktop Magnifier

  The desktop magnifier is made from silver and has four decoratively etched legs. The instrument has two thick glass lenses and can be closed via a sliding and pin attachment that allows the legs to be maneuvered to a closed position so it can be transported easily. This design for a magnifier with four legs was popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to assist those with bad eyesight in reading as it could slide smoothly across the page. "PAT.DEC.25.77" is engraved into the inside of one of the legs.
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  Magnifying Glass

  The magnifying glass is made from black stained mahogany with a long decorative turned handle.