LARGE FOLDING INSECT OR BOTANICAL MICROSCOPES

DESCRIPTION:

This is the largest version of the folding 'Jones' 'Common Flower or Insect' microscope. Like most, the lens and handle fold around the slot which projects out from the middle brass support. The piece projecting out from the main central brass part of the instrument has a slot and a springy piece of brass underneath. The specimen holder has a forceps on one side and a spike on the other. The support for this specimen holder slides on the sprung slot to allow focusing. The spring provides some tension to hold the forceps fitting in place. Tightening the knurled knob, which holds the specimen holder, tightens the grasp around it and also tightens it in the slot to fix its location once focused. This system was the standard for a hundred years. The instrument fits inside a red morrocan leather-covered wood case with brown velour-lined bottom and a pink silky lining on the inside of the top. The length when fully unfolded from the tip of the handle to the top of the lens casing is about 102 mm. The distance from the outside edge of the main brass center to the end of the slotted piece is about 85 mm. The external dimensions of the box are 95 x 30 x 30 mm. The needle/forceps measures about 70 mm end to end. The history of the Folding Botanical Microscope is discussed on the web page dedicated to this type of folding handheld microscope.