Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

      

Microscope 522 (Unknown maker; Gould-type chest microscope; 1st half of 19th century)

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Microscope 522 is known as a Gould-type chest microscope and should be dated to the first half of the 19th century. The stem of this microscope is fixed permanently to the bottom side of its case connected by a ball joint that allows it to fold up or down or swivel to any orientation and inclination. Focusing is achieved by a sliding movement of the stage. The maker is unknown, but several makers produced these types of microscopes in the first half of the 19th century (Figure 1).

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Figure 1. Examples of Gould-type chest microscopes as featured in: (A) Bracegirdle (2005) A catalogue of the microscopy collections at the science museum, London, Little Imp Publications (CD) – Dollond 1830 – 1850; (B) Bracegirdle (2005) A catalogue of the microscopy collections at the science museum, London, Little Imp Publications (CD) – Huntley 1825 – 1829; and (C) Pike’s catalogue (1848; 1856).