Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

      

Microscope 501 (Unassigned maker; Cary/Gould type microscope; early 19th century)

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Microscope 501 is known as a Cary/Gould type microscope and can be dated to the first half of the 19th century. This instrument is not signed and incomplete. The design of these types of microscopes, which were common during the first half of the 19th Century, is attributed to Charles Gould, a workman who was employed by the Cary company. Cary/Gould type microscopes were first developed in the 1820's. As time passed, different versions of the Cary/Gould microscope were produced and/or retailed by different companies (Figure 1).

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Figure 1. Cary/Gould type microscopes as engraved in the catalogues of different makers or retailers: (A, B, C) Buron (1844); (D) Negretti and Zambra (1859); (E, F, G) Palmer (1840); (H, I) B. Pike (1848, 1856)