Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

      

Microscope 487 (unassigned maker; botanical microscope; first half of the 19th century)

A wooden box with a pair of brass objects inside Description automatically generatedA wooden box with a metal object on it Description automatically generatedA close-up of a device Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA wooden box with a metal pole Description automatically generatedA wooden box with a metal rod Description automatically generatedA close-up of a brass object Description automatically generatedA wooden box with a metal handle Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA wooden box with a metal object Description automatically generated with medium confidenceA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generatedA close-up of a microscope Description automatically generated

Microscope 487 is a simple botanical microscope and was probably made in England in the first half of the 19th century. The maker is unknown. This microscope consists of a tubular stem, which screws firmly into the lid of the case wherein the instrument is packed when not in use. No mirror is attached and focusing is made by sliding the stage holder over the stem. Together with microscope 487, came an additional tubular stem that can also screw in the same lid case, like the first stem but containing a mirror. This additional tubular stem doesn’t fit in the same box, but should be from the same period and, eventually, the same maker. These instruments are adapted for the examination of botanical specimens, small insects or their parts, for the preparation of samples or for dissection (Figure 1).

 

A close-up of several objects Description automatically generated

Figure 1. Simple botanical microscopes, without a mirror and with a mirror, as featured in different sources: (A) Bracegirdle (2005) A catalogue of the microscopy collections at the science museum, London, Little Imp Publications; (B) Brown (1986) The Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Catalogue 7 – Microscopes; (C) B. Pike’s catalogue (1848, 1856); (D) J. Queen’s catalogue (1872).