Items

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  "Improved" Huxley-Type Dissecting Microscope

  The brass Huxley-type dissecting microscope can function both as a simple or compound microscope by using one or multiple objective lenses. The instrument stands on a tripod base, with two of the curved legs angled and the rear leg standing vertical. The circular stage is made from glass and is painted black. The substage mirror is connected to the rear leg and is set in a gimbal. The arm is connected to a column which extends from the rear leg via a rack and pinion mechanism. The thumbscrew connects to the rear leg controls the coarse focusing by moving the arm closer or further from the stage. The objective lens sits in a circular cut out of the arm, directly above the stage. The microscope has a wooden chest-style case with a lower interior drawer, which holds the accessories. The case is secured by a lock and push mechanism.
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  Pocket Microscope

  The simple brass microscope stands on a circular base. The base also acts as the stage and has a circular cut out which allows a specimen to be observed. The pocket microscope would have been used in the field due to its small size. The circular lens holder stands over the base/stage and there are two small columns that connect them.
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  Simple Dissecting Microscope

  The simple dissecting microscope is made from brass and wood. The lenses, mirror, and other components fit into compartments on the underside of the stage. The stand is folded in the legs hold all the components in place. The stage has a circular cut out for observation of a specimen. The instrument should come with three lenses, but only one remains with the microscope. The mirror holder is present, but the mirror is missing. There is another arm and body tube attachment which would allow the microscope to operate as a compound microscope; however, it is not clear if it is original to the microscope.
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  Wilson Screw Barrel Microscope

  The screw barrel microscope is made from brass and has an ivory handle which can be dissembled to fit into the original case. The microscope consists of a cylinder with an external screw thread. The microscope has a mounted objective lens with a condenser lens screwed into the other side to illuminate the specimen during observation. Coarse focusing is achieved by screwing the body tube along the screw thread which adjusts the distance between lenses. The microscope is also equipped with an extension attachment that is needed to mount the objectives when using the stage forceps. The instrument can be used as a simple or compound microscope, depending on how many objectives are used. The case has a red velvet interior that has compartments for the dissembled microscope and its accessories. The case is secured by two brass swing hooks; however, one is missing.
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  Simple Microscope

  The microscope is designed along the Antonie van Leeuwenhoek microscope and is made from brass and wood. The brass plate has two small holes for observation. The specimen would be placed on the specimen forceps which are not present with the instrument. The instrument does have a attachment to add forceps. The handle is made from wood.
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  Simple Microscope Replica

  This instrument is a replica of the Antonie van Leeuwenhoek simple microscope and is entirely handmade from polished brass. The biconvex glass lens was hand-ground and polished using similar techniques to those used by Leeuwenhoek himself. It has approximately 100 x magnification. The replica is treated with "Renaissance" micro-crystalline wax.
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  Simple Pocket Microscope

  The simple pocket microscope is made from brass. The lens on the underside of the microscope is a Stanhope lens. The ocular lens is a lower-power convex simple lens. Each lens can be focused by drawing the body tube in and out of the drawtube. The mirror is located between the lenses and revolves to reflect light into either lens. To view, specimens are held on a pin, between tweezers, or between the microscopist's fingers as the small size cannot accommodate slides. The lower simple lens can be removed so the instrument can be used as a magnifier.
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  Replica Simple Microscope

  The simple wooden stand microscope replica is hand turned in East-Indian rosewood. Bi-convex lens is hand ground and polished to give a magnification of approximately 10X and is mounted between turned brass sleeves. The brass specimen pin and lens sleeves are lightly chemically aged to give an antique appearance. The finish is shellac based followed by "Renaissance" micro-crystalline wax. The instrument has a spring specimen holder.
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  Handheld Brass Microscope

  The simple microscope is made from brass. The microscope magnifies items 50 times linearly. The design is also known as a "universal" microscope and was popular from the start of the twentieth century. The simple design includes a singular ocular lens and the slides are held in place via a slot on the middle section of the circular body which is spring-loaded. These types of microscopes were manufactured in France or Germany and due to their low-cost, durability, and simplicity to use meant it was a popular instrument for hobbyists. The original box is made of cardboard and has two compartments to hold the microscope and the slides. The case also has instructions to use the instrument inscribed inside the lid.
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  Ernst Leitz Dissecting Microscope

  The dissecting microscope is made polished brass and stands on a lead-weighted horseshoe foot. The instrument is signed "E. Leitz Wetzlar" on the foot. A rack and pinion mechanism controls the coarse focusing, and raises a triangular sectioned bar from within the pillar. The pivoting arm is attached to the top of the triangular bar and holds a split-ring mount for the lens. There is a blackened objective attachment with a mirror on a swinging arm that can be added to the lens mount. The stage plate is made from glass and brass. A substage plano-concave mirror is mounted on a swinging arm and gimbal attachment beneath the stage. The fitted mahogany case is padded with maroon velvet and is designed along a "chest" style. There is a brass ring handle located at the top of the case. There is a white plaque on the interior of the lid which reads "E.Leitz. Wetzlar. New-York 411.W.59.Str."
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  Compass Pocket Microscope with Magnifying Glass

  The miniature botanist microscope has the original lens intact. The objective lenses are set in a Lieberkuhn reflector which reflects light evenly onto the specimen. The simple microscope seems to have an ivory or bone handle. There is an attachment with an inclination joint which allows the stage forceps to be angled for observation. The specimen holder is not original to the instrument. The instrument comes with a magnifying glass with a matching ivory (or bone) handle. 
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  Botanical "School" Microscope

  The botanical entomological microscope consists of a brass tubular pillar stand that screws into the lid of the wooden case. At the top of the pillar is a fixed arm that holds the three stacking objectives that can be used together or individually. The round black stage with slide clips elevates up and down the pillar manually simply by lifting it up and down the pillar as desired. The gimbaled sub-stage mirror is attached to the lower pillar. The design was often called a "School Microscope" because it could be used for educational purposes such as particular examination of botanical specimens, small insects or insect parts, water fleas and other objects that could be readily collected and examined. This instrument is an English import and follows the design of the Society of Arts School Microscope of the 1855 time period. The design is similar to the earlier model of the Ellis Aquatic microscopes. It was also considered an inexpensive, simple microscope and became a popular model. The wooden case is secured by two swinging brass hooks.
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  Simple Dissecting Microscope

  The dissecting microscope is made of solid mahogany with tapered ends that form rests for the hands. The glass stage plate is beveled with a white glass plate located underneath that is placed at an 45 degree angle for illumination. The lens is held in a fitting which swings over the stage plate and slides up and down for focussing. This microscope style was used mainly to study small flowers and plants as well as small animals.
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  "Cary & Gould" style Microscope

  The "Cary-Gould type" microscope is a common variation of the design. The design came in three sizes and this microscope is considered a "medium." The microscope has a support pillar that screws into the top of the lid. The body-tube is screwed into the arm of the pillar. This design also allows for the microscope to used as a simple microscope by screwing the objectives directly into the arm. The coarse focusing functions via a rack and pinion mechanism which moves the circular stage closer and further away from the objective lens. The circular stage has a under-stage sprung slot which holds the slide and the specimen forceps are attached via a pin. The sub-stage concave mirror is attached via a pin into the support pillar. The microscope can be used as both a compound and simple microscope depending on whether the body-tube or objectives are used respectively. The fitted mahogany case has purple velour-lined interior. The case is closed via two swing hooks, however, one is missing.
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  Cary-Gould style Simple Microscope

  The Cary-Gould style microscope is made of lacquered brass. The simple microscope has a circular support pillar that screws into the top of the case, which acts as the base. The coarse focusing is achieved by extending the arm higher or lower via a rack and pinion mechanism. The fixed stage is detachable to fit the microscope into the case and has two stage clips to secure the slides. Unusually, the microscope does not have a substage mirror. The mahogany case is fitted to hold the instrument. The case has sections to hold various accessories, and the inside of the lid is lined with purple velvet. The top of the lid has a brass fixture for the pillar to screw into. The case is secured with two swing clips.
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  Pocket Handheld Microscope

  The pocket simple microscope is made of lacquered brass. The microscope magnifies items 50 times linearly. The design is also known as a "universal" microscope and was popular from the start of the twentieth century. The simple design includes a singular ocular and the slides are held in place via a slot on the lower section of the circular body which is spring-loaded. These types of microscopes were manufactured in France or Germany and due to their low-cost, durability, and simplicity to use meant it was a popular instrument for hobbyists. The original box is made of cardboard and has two compartments to hold the microscope and the slides. The case also has instructions to use the instrument inscribed inside the lid.
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  Cary-Gould Style Microscope

  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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  Simple Field Microscope

  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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  Botanical Field Microscope

  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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  Simple Field Microscope

  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.