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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope oil lamp (late 19th
century) Microscope oil lamp by an unknown manufacturer, probably dated
to the late 19th century. These types of microscope lamps were
sold by many companies during the 19th century and early 20th
century (Figure 1). The burner is engraved with “PATENTED SEPT.16.1862”, and
“HOLMES BOOTH & HAYDENS, WATERBURY CT.”, and the oil reservoir’s brass
collar is also engraved with “PATD APR.19.1875, MCH.21.1876”. The
company Holmes, Booth & Haydens started in 1853
as a partnership between Hiram W. Hayden, Israel Holmes
and John C. Booth, in Waterbury (Connecticut, USA). Henry H. Hayden and James
A. Hayden were also associated with the firm, hence the plural Haydens in the company name. The company was engaged in
casting, rolling and drawing brass and copper, and
were important manufacturers of lamps and burners. The company operated
independently until late 1901, when it became part of the American Brass
Company. The Holmes, Booth & Haydens was
assigned at least 56 lighting-related patents between January 24, 1860, and
January 30, 1894. The “PATENTED SEPT.16.1862” corresponds to the US patent
36493 for a lamp burner (Figure 2). Figure 1. Microscope oil lamps as featured in the catalogues of several
firms: (A) J. Swift & Son (1870s); (B) J Swift & Sons (1892, 1906);
(C) Claudius Ash & Sons (1886), Reynolds & Branson (1887) and Down
Bros (1906); (D) Arnold & Sons (1876; 1879; 1880; 1882; 1886); (E) James
How (c. 1875); (F) Negretti & Zambra (1885); and (G) JH Steward (1903). Figure 2. US patent No. 36493 (16.09.1962), attributed to Lewis J.
Atwood, describing a lamp burner. |