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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  Dollond Cuff-Type Microscope

  The cuff-style compound microscope is made from brass and is secured to a square mahogany base. The single-sided plano-concave mirror is mounted on a gimbal and connected to a brass mounting on the base which can rotate. The Bonnani stage is signed "Dollond London" and has a small removable bullseye condenser attachment. Beneath the stage are two stage clips which hold the specimen in place. The instrument comes with a removable spring-loaded attachment which slots into the circular cut out and acts as a method to hold a specimen in place. The stage is supported by a rectangular pillar, which is parallel to another movable pillar for coarse focusing. The movable pillar slides up and down, adjusting the body tube relative to the stage. The focusing is controlled by a Hevelius screw, with the top mount fixing the body tube in position, and the screw thread adjusts the position of the body tube along the pillar. The pillar has numbered markings which represent the position of the body tube from 1 to 6. The body tube sits in the arm attachment at the top of the pillar. The eye piece has a sliding brass protector. The instrument is housed in a pyramid-shaped mahogany case with an interior draw in the base. The case has a brass carrying handle and is secured by a lock, however, the key is not present with the instrument.
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  Culpeper-style Compound Microscope

  The Culpeper-style microscope is made from brass and is attached to a mahogany base that contains a drawer. The design is based on instruments produced by Edmund Culpeper (1670-1737). The instrument stands on a decorative tripod stand which is connected to the fixed circular stage. Beneath the stage are two long stage clips which hold the specimens in place. The stage also has a spring-loaded attachment which can also be used to hold specimens in place for observation. The stage also comes with small forceps which connect to the stage by a pin. The sub-stage plano-concave mirror is attached to the base and is set in a gimbal which allows it to be rotated. Coarse focusing is achieved by rack work controlled by a thumbscrew on the body-tube. The body-tube stands directly above the stage which is held up by three curved pillars. The instrument is kept in its original pyramidal shaped mahogany case with a brass carrying hook situated at its top. The case is secured by a lock which is still functional and the key is kept with the accessories.
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  Carpenter & Westley Field Microscope

  The compound microscope is made from brass and can be dissembled to fit into its original mahogany case. The pillars rack work is signed "CARPENTER & WESTLEY, 24 Regent St, London." The pillar screws into the weighted circular base. The lower section of the pillar has an inclination joint which allows the microscope to be angled. The body-tube is secured to the objective by a screw function, after which it can then be attached to the cantilevered arm. The coarse focusing is achieved by rack and pinion mechanism which moves the stage vertically. The stage is spring-loaded which allows the specimen to be secured beneath the fixed clip attachments and the lower section. The plano-concave substage mirror is slotted into the pillar via a pin and is set in a gimbal. The instrument has a small stage bullseye condenser which is attached to the stage via a pin. The mahogany case has fitted compartments that hold the dissembled parts of the instrument. The base is fitted beneath the compartment draw and is secured by a hook. The lid's interior is lined with faded purple velvet which helps protect the instrument. The case is secured by a lock and key; however, the key is not present with the instrument.
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  John Browning Compound Microscope

  The binocular microscope is marked "John Browning London. 280" on the stage. The compound microscope is made from brass and stands on a splayed Y-shaped foot with a decorative varnish. The lower limb ends in an inclination joint which allows for angling for observation. The microscope also consists of a sub-stage plano-concave mirror which sits in a gimbal and an arm extension which allows for adjustment. The square stage also has a decorative pattern which matches the foot. The stage has an attachment to hold the slides in place as well as two removable stage clips to hold slides in place. The slide can be adjusted via the X and Y axis by the two thumbscrews on the side of the stage. The instrument also has a sub-stage iris diaphragm with three apertures which can be adjusted by swiveling the disc. Coarse focusing is achieved by a rack and pinion mechanism controlled by a large thumbscrew parallel to the stage. Fine focusing is controlled by the by a smaller thumbscrew at the end of the body-tube.
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  Lennie Edinburgh Microscope

  The brass compound microscope stands on a claw-foot base which is attached to the dual side limbs. The limbs end in an inclination joint which allows it to be angled for observation. The rotatable circular stage has two movable stage clips that can be moved vertically along the stage. The stage also has room for attachments, however, there are none with this instrument. Beneath the stage is an iris diaphragm which can be adjusted by rotating. The sub-stage mirror sits in a gimbal and can be rotated to catch the light. Coarse focusing is achieved by a rack and pinion mechanism which is controlled by the dual thumbscrew on either side of the pillar. Fine focusing is controlled by a small thumbscrew at the bottom of the body-tube. The microscope is signed "Lennie Edinburgh" on the base. The instrument comes with a stand-alone bulls-eye condenser which can be disassembled to fit into the case. The mahogany case is fitted and contains compartments to hold the dissembled microscope and its accessories. It has a interior draw that has a section to hold slides. The case has a brass carry handle and is secured by a lock and key, however, the key is not present with the instrument.
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  Andrew Ross Microscope

  The brass microscope stands on a splayed Y-shape base and engraved with "Andw. Ross, London, No.190." This instrument represents the classic design created by Ross - the bar-limb and splayed Y-shape base - which was copied by many other manufacturers. The monocular instrument's limb is triangular in the cross section. The dual side pillars end in trunnion joints that allow for inclination. The square mechanical stage has an uppermost section which rotates clockwise and counter-clockwise. The stage can be adjusted along the X and Y axis with a rack and pinion mechanism. The stage also has a bullseye condenser and stage forceps attachments which are attached by a pin. The stage has a substage iris diaphragm which can be rotated. The receiver for the threaded objective is spring loaded, which in effect acts as a "safety-stage." Coarse focusing is achieved by a rack and pinion mechanism which is controlled by thumbscrew located at the side of the stage. Fine focusing works by a lever mechanism mounted within the bar proper and adjusted by a knurled thumbscrew mounted on the bar. The instrument has a substage plano-concave substage which is mounted in a gimbal. The microscope also comes with a stand-alone bullseye condenser with a circular stand. The mahogany glass-fronted case contains three internal accessory drawers.
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  Smith & Beck "Milk Box" Educational Microscope

  This microscope is a rare example as it has a cast iron base which appears to have been purpose-built rather than retrofitted. The actual instrument has been stripped of its gunmetal and black lacquers. The microscope is signed with a stamped with "Smith & Beck, London" on the side pillar. The cast iron base is attached to the dual side pillars which end in trunnions that allow for inclination. The square stage has a substage iris diaphragm which can be removed and a substage plano-concave mirror set in a gimbal. Coarse focusing is achieved by sliding the body-tube through the cylinder attachment connected to the main pillar. The fine focusing is controlled by knurled knob at the base of the pillar and the cast iron base is attached to a mahogany accessories tray that holds the objective and objective lens. The mahogany case is secured by a lock and key, which is broken. The base slides into the case horizontally. The microscope design was low end and became eclipsed by the binocular version —  "Popular Microscope" —  by 1865. The instrument was described by Richard Beck in his book, A Treatise, in 1865 and reviewed by Gerald Turner in his book, The Great Age of the Microscope (1989).
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  Dollond Solar Microscope

  This early Cuff-style solar microscope was designed by Peter Dollond. The square plate can be fixed to a window shutter with two screws. The instrument has a large, rectangular mirror which can be controlled by two wing nuts; one connected to a pinion for angle variation and the other to control the rotation. The body-tube attached to the brass plate and can be screwed in to secure it. A condensing lens is also attached to the body-tube and on the other side is a spring-barrel tube which holds the final condenser — which comes in the form of dovetail slides — the specimen and the projection lens. The instrument comes with six projection lens which are engraved 1 to 6. The focusing is by rack work controlled by the small thumbscrew located at the side of the spring-barrel. The instrument comes with a fitted mahogany case which holds all the components in fitted compartments. The case is secured by two brass swing hooks and also has a lock with a functional key.
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  "Society of the Arts" Microscope

  The brass microscope stands on a claw-foot base. The dual curved limb terminates in an inclination joint which allows the instrument to be angled for observation. The square fixed stage has a shelf attachment which allows the slide to be secured for observation. This attachment can be moved horizontally and there is an additional specimen holder attachment which is attached by a pin. Beneath the stage is a iris diaphragm disk with 3 apertures which can be rotated. The sub-stage mirror is attached to the bottom of an cylinder arm and sits in a gimbal. The body-tube is screwed into an arm attachment, and the objective lens can be screwed into the body-tube. The compound microscope also comes with a bulls-eye condenser with its own stand. The fitted, mahogany case has a brass carry handle and would be secured by a lock, however, it is no longer attached to the case.
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  Cary Monocular Microscope

  The compound microscope is made from brass and stands on a mahogany platform which it can be removed from. The microscope follows the "Society of Arts" design. The platform also has a hole to place the detached body-tube in so it can be placed into the case. The instrument stands on a claw foot base which has "Cary 181 Strand London" etched into the brass surface. The pillar ends in an inclination joint which allows the microscope to be angled. The square stage is fixed and has holes for attachments; however, none are present with the microscope. The sub-stage mirror is one-sided and attached to an arm connected to the stage and sits in a gimbal. The body-tube screws into an arm attachment above the stage. Coarse focusing functions via rack and pinion in which the triangular column extends and moves the body-tube. Fine focus is controlled by the small thumbscrew located at the back of the body-tube. The small fitted case has compartments in the back of the interior which holds the ocular lens and objective. The microscope needs to be dismantled to fit with the body-tube standing in its own circular compartment. The mahogany case has a brass carry handle and is missing its lock and key.
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  Brass and Wood Telescope

  The small Victorian 2-draw pocket telescope is made from brass and mahogany. The telescope has its original patina. The telescope focuses via a sliding mechanism of the body-tube through the draw-tube.
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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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  Bausch & Lomb Universal Microscope

  The universial microscope is made from brass and stands on a flat tripod foot. The limb is split into two by an inclination joint that allows the microscope to be angled for observation. The circular stage is missing its two stage clips which would hold the specimen in place. The monocular microscope has a substage aperture iris diaphragm which can be rotated to adjust the aperture. The arm of the mirror and condenser can be slotted into each other and are connected to a circular joint next to the stage which allows them both to be rotated. However, the microscope is missing its substage mirror and the two arms do not seem to slot into one another as they should. The coarse focusing functions via a rack and pinion mechanism which is controlled by the large thumbscrew on the side of the body tube. Fine focus is controlled by the small thumbscrew located on top of the limb. The microscope is signed "PAT. OCT. 3, 1876, PAT. OCT. 13, 1885" on the side of the pillar and "Bausch & Lomb Optical Co." on the stage. The mahogany case has a brass carry handle and is secured by a lock and key; however, the key is not present with the instrument. The case has an interior draw that holds the slides and accessories. The interior also has compartments for the objectives and ocular lenses, with the top compartment lined with blue velvet. 
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  "Cary-Gould Style" Compound Microscope

  The Gould-Cary style microscope — when assembled — is case mounted and the pillar screws into the top of the case. The substage mirror is connected via a gimbal and pin which allows for maneuvering to catch the light as well as easy removal from the microscope. The square fixed stage has a small bullseye condenser and specimen clip attached via a pin. The body-tube and objective lenses are attached via a screwing mechanism and can then be attached to the arm. Coarse focusing is controlled by the thumbscrew located next to the stage and uses a rack and pinion mechanism. The mahogany case is fitted and has compartments for the dissembled parts of the microscope. The interior of the lid is lined with blue velvet and the compartments are made from wood. The case is secured by two brass swivel hooks at the front of the case.
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  J.B. Dancer Binocular Microscope

  Manufactured by the "Committee of the Society" — now known as the Manchester Microscopical Society (RMS) — the microscope was designed according to Dancer's 1873 catalog. The microscope is a portable Wenham binocular instrument which is built on a Ross-bar style limb with the Wenham prism mounted into the body-tube, which holds the RMS standard objectives. The design was offered with either rack and pinion coarse focus or chain drive and this microscope coarse focusing functions via chain drive which is not currently working. Inter-ocular separation is by a simple (lightweight) lever mechanism, and the plain stage has a slide bar to hold and maneuver the specimen. The stage has a central hole threaded to take sub-stage accessories. Below the stage is a plano-concave mirror. The microscope is signed on the foot “J.B. Dancer Manchester” and is numbered “50.” Original mahogany box has original key and comprises of two inner pull out drawers. Inside the door is a Paper Label stating: '' PRIZE MEDAL 1862. J. B. DANCER, OPTICIAN, MANCHESTER, Inventor of Microscopic Photographs, manufacturer of all kinds of Optical and Mathematical Instruments, Binocular Achromatic Microscopes, Rifle Telescopes, Field Glasses, Achromatic Telescopes, &c., &c. By appointment to Her Majesty's Commissioners '' with two Motifs.
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  Cary-Gould style Microscope

  The monocular microscope is designed along the Cary-Gould style and mounted on the top of the orginal mahogany case. The compound microscope can be dissembled to fit into the fitted case. The limb is connected to an inclination joint that allows for the microscope to be angled for observation. The square fixed stage has two stage clips connected by pins and are detachable. The body-tube and objective are screwed into each other which is then screwed into the circular arm. The circular arm has a small bullseye condenser connected via a gimbal limb which makes it easy to maneuver. Coarse focusing functions via the sliding mechanism of the stage. The case has compartments lined with velvet to hold the different components of the microscope. The majority of the case has a wooden interior and the case is secured by two brass swing hooks.
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  Society of Arts-Style Compound Microscope

  The monocular microscope has a Ross Y-shaped foot which is secured to a mahogany platform. The compound microscope is made of brass. The one-sided sub-stage mirror is attached to the bottom of the limb by a gimbal joint that allows it to be maneuvered to catch the light. Coarse focusing is achieved by a rack and pinion mechanism which is controlled by a thumbscrew at the side of the limb. The small thumbscrew at the back of the body-tube by the nose piece controls the fine focusing. The square fixed stage does not seem to have any means of securing specimens. The substage iris diaphragm that can be adjusted by rotating the disk. This microscope design followed the 1854 Society of Arts pattern. The fitted, solid mahogany case has brass hinge and handle. The lock is missing and the door is slightly warped. There are shrinkage cracks to the rear panel.
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  Cary-Gould Pocket Microscope

  The compound microscope is signed by "Cary of London" on the pillar and is made from brass. The microscope can be dissembled to fit into its small, fitted case. The pillar of the microscope is screwed into the front interior of the case. The gimbaled one-sided substage mirror is attached via a pin to the bottom of the pillar. The arm can be secured to the top of the pillar by sliding it into an attachment. Similarly to the substage mirror, the circular stage is attached via a pin into an attachment on the pillar. The fixed stage also has a section for dissecting forceps; however, only the hinge is present with the instrument. The attachment controls the coarse focusing by rack and pinion via a thumbscrew on the side of the microscope. The objective lenses screw into the bottom of the body-tube which is then screwed into the arm of the microscope.The arm was manufactured by UNC Charlotte College of Engineering on March 15, 2010. The mahogany case contains compartments that hold the dissembled parts of the microscope. The interior of the case is lined with worn, purple velvet. Two swinging brass hooks secure the case. 
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  Binocular Magnifier

  The handheld binocular magnifier is made from mahogany. The magnifier includes two ocular lenses set into a rectangle piece of wood. The magnifier also has a wooden handle.
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  Monocular Compound Microscope

  The compound microscope is made from lacquered brass and the Y-shaped foot is permanently attached to a mahogany platform. The monocular microscope has a mechanical stage which can be adjusted along a X and Y axis via two thumbscrews. One of the thumbscrews moves the stage horizontally; however, the vertical adjustment no longer works due to a hole in the adjustment gear. The coarse focusing is achieved via a rack and pinion mechanism which moves the body-tube closer or further away from the fixed square stage. Fine focusing functions via a thumbscrew located at the bottom of the body-tube. The stage has two holes on either side of the corners which can hold accessories such as stage forceps or bullseye condenser, however, no accessories come with the microscope. The sub-stage concave mirror is one-sided and is attached to the pillar. The style of the microscope is similar to the Robert Fields' 1855 Society of the Arts winning design. The fitted mahogany case is original to the microscope, which has a brass carry handle on the top of the case. The interior has 5 circular sections to hold the objectives and ocular lenses that come with the microscope. There is a small draw located in the top of the interior which holds slides. The keyhole escutcheon matches that of other Beck microscope images, so it may be by produced by R & J Beck.
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  R & J Beck Compound Microscope

  The R & J Beck's compound microscope is made from lacquered brass with a continental horseshoe base which is solid brass and has etched "R & J. Beck. Ltd London 26669" into the back of the base. On one of the sides of the base, "WILLIAMS BROWN & EARLE PHILADELPHIA" is etched into the foot. The substage double-sided mirror — which includes a concave side — is attached via a gimbal arm to a swinging tailpiece that is connected to the pillar. The square, mechanical stage is painted black and has two metal clips to secure a specimen. There are two holes on both corners of the stage in which accessories such as stage forceps can be attached. However, there are not any stage accessories with this microscope. There is also a substage iris diaphragm that can be adjusted via a lever on the outside. The coarse focusing functions via a rack and pinion mechanism which moves the body tube closer or further away from the fixed stage. The fine focusing mechanism is controlled by a thumbscrew located at the top of the pillar. The fitted case is original to the microscope and has compartments on the inside of the door that hold the objectives and ocular lenses. The case has a brass carry handle on top of the microscope and the case is secured with a lock; however, there is not a key with the microscope.
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  Charles Baker Compound Microscope

  The compound microscope is made from lacquered brass. The microscope is supported by a straight-legged tripod with the substage double-sided mirror connected to the pillar in between the legs of the tripod. The substage plano-concave mirror is secured to a gimbal support which allows for adjustment to catch the light. The circular stage can be rotated and has two brass spring clips which hold the specimen in place for observation. There is also an Abbe substage condenser which has an adjustable iris diaphragm which can be altered with a lever along its side. The coarse focusing functions via a rack and pinion mechanism which moves the body-tube closer or further away from the fixed stage. The fine focusing mechanism is controlled by a thumbscrew located at the top of the pillar. The pillar has the words "Baker, 244 High Holborn, London." etched into the brass. The microscope comes with its original mahogany case and has interior compartments for the accessories and separate bullseye condenser. The case has a brass carry handle located on its top and the lock is still fitted; however, a key did not come with the microscope.
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  Charles Baker "Ross Type" Microscope

  The Charles Baker compound microscope comes with the original mahogany case. The brass microscope can be dissembled to fit into the case. The body tube and arm are secured via a thumbscrew to the mahogany platform which is fixed to the claw-footed base of the microscope. The lacquered brass foot has "BAKER, 244 High Holborn, LONDON" carved into it. The body tube and arm can then be attached via a screw to the pillar of the microscope. The fixed square stage is attached to the pillar and has a square fixture that can be horizontal to adjust the specimen. There is a substage revolving diaphragms that can be removed via a sliding mechanism. Coarse focusing functions via a rack and pinion mechanism and fine focusing is operated via thumbscrew found on the arm. The substage, one-sided mirror is permanently attached to the pillar of the microscope via a gimbal. The mahogany case is farcened with a brass lock which is no longer present on the case with the escutcheon missing. The wooden fitting that would originally have held the two objectives in the case is half missing and so the accessories are now being held in the draw located at the bottom of the case. The draw has a brass pull loop to open and close it. The case also has a brass handle at the top that is used to carry the case.
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  Simple "West Patent London" Microscope

  Many simple microscopes were made around the 19th century to the style of the "Society of Arts" Prize Pattern. Many used this design to create affordable microscopes, therefore very few were signed by the creator and the design differed depending on the manufacturer. The "Cary-Gould" style, simple microscope is made from lacquered brass and is case-mounted onto a fitted mahogany case. The pillar screws into the top of the lid which is permanently attached to the circular stage and arm. The objective lens can be used separately — to work as a simple microscope — or used together to function as a compound microscope. The sub-stage mirror is attached via a pin into the lower part of the pillar. The dissecting pin is attached via a pin to the stage. The mahogany fitted case is secured by two brass hooks on either side of the case. The interior of the case is lined with blue velvet and is organized into compartments to fit the disassembled microscope.