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MINIATURE FRENCH COMPOUND MICROSCOPE
MODEL: ?
DATE: c. 1880
MAKER: unknown
UNSIGNED
SERIAL NUMBER: None
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: FRANCE (A)
DESCRIPTION:
This very small freestanding compound microscope, arises from a circular brass foot which supports the round pillar.
The mirror is supported by a tab from a ring which surrounds the pillar. There is rack and pinion focusing via a single knob acting inside the pillar. The stage has a flat finish with no holes or provision for attachments. There is a fixed ocular and a triple button French-style objective.
HISTORY OF SIMILAR BOTANICAL MICROSCOPES
As you can see from the images to the left, this microscope is virtually identical to the simple microscope of like construction in this collection. The only differences are the compound tube and lack of a screw at the top of the pillar. The microscope is also quite similar to the box-mounted example also in this collection. The maker of these microscopes apparently made them in great variety and in great numbers. On Allan Wissner's site, you can see even more variations. An example of the compound micrscope shown on this web page can be seen in Turner's 'Great Age of the Microscope' was dated to 1880 by the original owner who knew the exact date he was given it as a boy. Turner stated that this microscope could be found in the catalogs of the 'Société des Lunetiers' of Paris.
