MICROSCOPE GRAND MODÈLE ORDINAIRE:

HISTORY OF THE NACHET Microscope Grand Modèle Ordinaire MICROSCOPE:

This model was pictured in the Nachet catalogs, but not after 1862, as shown in the 1862 catalog entry to the left. The instrument lacks the address, and also lacks the 'et fils' after 'Nachet.' The lack of 'et fils' would date it to before 1854. The lack of an address is unusual and may have indicated a time when a new move was contemplated to but not yet finalized, hence the tentative dating to about 1850 before the move to Rue Serpente 16 (thanks to Jeroen Meeusen for this information). For history of the Nachet company, please see the historical information under the the entry for the Nachet Grande.

The Drum or Martin-type microscope was invented by Benjamin Martin in the Eighteenth century (1700's). It was revived by the French, particularly Oberhauser and later his successor, Hartnack. Drum microscopes of a simpler (and flimsier) design were made (with varying degrees of complexity and varying quality) in many countries. The French have the distinction of making the flimsier versions of these even into the Twentieth century; they were still for sale in the USA in the 1930's,imported from France. These 'Toy' versions, made in very large numbers, would not compare to the finer French Drum instruments made in small numbers, and intended for serious work, like the instrument pictured above.

The author is grateful to Jeroen Meeusen for his expert technical opinion on the possible date of origin of this instrument.