MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES
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MICROSCOPE-ANTIQUES.COM     © 2013-20.




MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES:

Objects used as integral parts of or as enhancements of Microscopes or to aid in preparation of specimens.



ARTICLE ABOUT
CAMERA LUCIDAS
ARTICLE ABOUT
COMPRESSORS
ARTICLE ABOUT
FROG & FISH PLATES
ARTICLE ABOUT
LIVEBOXES
ARTICLE ABOUT
COVERSLIP MICROMETERS
ARTICLE ABOUT
SLIDE RINGING TABLES

 


HISTORY OF MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES

The first microscopes had no accessories. Initially, they were even limited to a single power of magnification. With progress in optics, came improvements in the instrument itself, and the need for accessories to make the most of what the microscope had to offer. These included Eyepieces of different powers, objectives of different powers and types, illuminating apparatus (both integrated into the microscope and separate), and apparatus to manipulate or restrain a subject. Accesories included apparatus used to prepare a specimen for view such as a microtome, or an apparatus to simply restrain a live specimen, as in a Livebox or Compressor. As more techniques were developed, accessories to allow their use were needed. These would include things like polarized light accessories or dark ground condensers.

MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES ON THIS WEB SITE

This website features many accessories from microscopes of the 18th,19th and 20th centuries. Many accessories are discussed with their respective instruments, and are not shown here. The links to specific topics, e.g. compressors, give a good sampling of the respective accessories. I am grateful to be able to feature not only my own microscope accessories, but also those of other collectors kind enough to share them with us.

In addition to the accessories shown in the links, some are shown in the table below with links to dedicated pages. Not all accessories could be listed in the tables, so except for unusual single accessories, you will find a greater selection on the pages dedicated to the accessory in question.

If you have a question about one of your accessories please feel free to contact me and I will try to answer you. This web page is being updated as often as feasible but is not yet complete.



An article I have written detailing and identifying many of the known accessories associated with antique microscopes is now available on this website.

For a detailed discussion of many accessories see the accessory section of the web pages about the Grand Van Heurck Microscope in this collection.

For a detailed discussion of another large collection of accessories for an older microscope, see the accessory section of the early 1860's Smith & Beck Best microscope on this website.

The Compressor Article is a dedicated page about the different types of compressoria.

The Article about Liveboxes documents the history and different types of these 'animalcule' cages.

An article about frog plates and fish pans is now on this site.

The article onCamera Lucidas for the Microscope follows the history of these drawing aids as applies to the microscope.

 

liveboxes
LIVEBOXES		 compressors
COMPRESSORS

 

frogplates
FROG & FISH PLATES 		camera lucidas
CAMERA LUCIDAS

 

MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES BY DATE OF MANUFACTURE

Note that dates are exact when known, or approximated by best estimate

Estimates are indicated by c.(circa) preceding the date

Makers name was determined by signature or unique features; if only by features of the stand the maker name is followed by '(A)' (attributed)
Click on a picture to see more images and details.

To jump to the date range of your choice click on one of the following links:

....18th CENTURY.... ....1800-1849.... ....1850-1879.... ....1880-1899.... ....1900-1949.... ....AFTER 1949....

Click on a picture to see more images and details.
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY (1700'S)
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. ---- ENGLISH UNKNOWN ---- ----------------- -----
NINETEENTH CENTURY (1800'S)
DATE COUNTRY ORIGINMAKERTYPE MODELIMAGES
NINETEENTH CENTURY (1850-1879)
DATE COUNTRY ORIGINMAKERTYPE MODELIMAGES
2nd Half 19th C. ENGLISHSmith & Beck or Ross SCHIEK-TYPE LEVER COMPRESSOR 'LEVER COMPRESSOR' lever compressor
2nd Half 19th C. ENGLISHUnknown Illuminator, freestanding 'Amici Lenticular Illuminator' lenticular illuminator
c. 1865-1912 ENGLISHBECK OPAQUE OBJECT ROTATOR 'OPAQUE DISK REVOLVER' disk revolver
c. 1870-1890 AMERICAN OR ENGLISHInvented by Joseph Zentmeyer Condenser with Zentmeyer's Adjustable Stop Condenser with Zentmeyer's Adjustable Stop Zentmeyer Condenser
c. 1878 GERMANCARL ZEISS EARLY VERSION ABBE APERTOMETER ABBE APERTOMETER abbe apertometer early
NINETEENTH CENTURY (1880-1899)
c. 1880 ENGLAND J. BROWNING SORBY-BROWNING MICROSPECTROSCOPE 'MICROSPECTROSCOPE' microspectroscope
c. 1880-1910 ENGLISHCHARLES COLLINSSLIDE-MAKING KIT 'MOUNTING CABINET'Slide Making Kit
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSROTATING SELENITE 'SELENITE STAGE' selenite stage
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSSELENITE STAGE WITH ROTATING MICA DISK 'MICA-SELENITE STAGE'selenite stage
c. 1885 AMERICANW.H. BULLOCHRINGING TABLE 'TURNTABLE'ringing table
c. 1885 ENGLISHTHOMPSON & CAPPERLIVE TROUGH 'BOTTERILL TROUGH'Brass Botterill Trough
c. 1885 ENGLISHunknownMOUNTING INSTRUMENT 'SMITH'S MOUNTING INSTRUMENT'Smith Mounting Instrument
19th C. ENGLAND ----- STAMPING OBJECT MARKER ---- OM
c. 2nd half 19th C. FRENCH--?-- COVERSLIP MICROMETER ---- micrometer
c. 1890-1900 AMERICANBAUSCH & LOMB COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'COVER-GLASS GAUGE' micrometer
c. 1895-1940 ENGLAND W. WATSON MODIFIED ROUSSELET COMPRESSOR 'IMPROVED ROUSSELET COMPRESSOR' compressor
TWENTIETH CENTURY (1900-1949)
1900 ENGLISHSWIFT COMPRESSOR 'PIPER'S REVERSIBLE COMPRESSOR' piper compressor
c. 1900 GERMAN ZEISS COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'DECKGLASTASTER' Zeiss micrometer
c. 1900 AMERICAN BAUSCH & LOMB REAGENT KIT 'REAGENT KIT' b and l kit
c. 1900 ENGLISH UNKNOWN COMPRESSOR OR
COMPRESSORIUM		 'ROUSSELET' TYPE Rousselet compr
c. 1910 ENGLISH R. & J. BECK EIKONOMETER 'WRIGHT' TYPE Wright Eikonometer
c. 1915 ENGLAND W. WATSON EYEPIECE MICROMETER 'SCREW MICROMETER EYEPIECE' eye micrometer
c. 1925 ENGLISH W WATSON & SONS DIAMOND OBJECT MARKER ---- OM
c. 1925 ENGLISH CHARLES HEARSON INCUBATOR-WARMING STAGE 'ELECTRIC INCUBATOR FOR THE MICROSCOPE STAGE' stage warmer
TWENTIETH CENTURY (AFTER 1949)
XXXXyear XXXX XXXXmakerXXXX 'XXXX'XXXX


MICROSCOPE ACCESORIES BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN (COO)
Note that COO's are determined by established data or, when not certain by features of construction usually associated with the attributed (a) country. To jump to the COO of your choice click on one of the following links:
U.S.A. AUSTRIA CHINA ENGLAND FRANCE GERMANY JAPAN POLAND SCOTLAND
Click on a picture to see more images and details.
AMERICAN (U.S.A.)
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1885 AMERICANW.H. BULLOCHSLIDE RINGING TABLE 'TURNTABLE'ringing table
c. 1890-1900 AMERICAN BAUSCH & LOMB COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'COVER-GLASS GAUGE' micrometer
c. 1900 AMERICAN BAUSCH & LOMB REAGENT KIT 'REAGENT KIT' b and l kit
c. ---- xxxx ----- ------------- '--------------' XXXX
ENGLAND
2nd Half 19th C. ENGLISH UnknownIlluminator, freestanding 'Amici Lenticular Illuminator'lenticular illuminator
2nd Half 19th C. ENGLISHSmith & Beck or Ross SCHIEK-TYPE LEVER COMPRESSOR 'LEVER COMPRESSOR' lever compressor
1900 ENGLISHSWIFT COMPRESSOR 'PIPER'S REVERSIBLE COMPRESSOR' piper compressor
c. 1865-1912 ENGLISHBECK OPAQUE OBJECT ROTATOR 'OPAQUE DISK REVOLVER' disk revolver
c. 1880-1910 ENGLISHCHARLES COLLINSSLIDE-MAKING KIT 'MOUNTING CABINET'Slide Making Kit
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSROTATING SELENITE STAGE 'SELENITE STAGE'Selenite stage
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSSELENITE STAGE WITH ROTATING MICA PLATE 'MICA-SELENITE STAGE'Selenite stage
c. 1885 ENGLISH THOMPSON & CAPPER Trough 'Botterill Trough' brass botterill trough
c. 1885 ENGLISHunknownMOUNTING INSTRUMENT 'SMITH'S MOUNTING INSTRUMENT'Smith Mounting Instrument
c. 1900 ENGLISH UNKNOWN COMPRESSOR OR
COMPRESSORIUM		 'ROUSSELET' TYPE Rousselet compr
c. 1910 ENGLISH R. & J. BECK EIKONOMETER 'WRIGHT' TYPE Wright Eikonometer
c. 1915 ---- ENGLISH W.Watson EYEPIECE MICROMETER 'SCREW MICROMETER EYEPIECE' micrometer
c. 1925 ENGLISH CHARLES HEARSON INCUBATOR-WARMING STAGE 'ELECTRIC INCUBATOR FOR THE MICROSCOPE STAGE' stage warmer
FRENCH
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 2nd half 19th C. FRENCH--?-- COVERSLIP MICROMETER ---- micrometer
GERMAN
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1878 GERMANCARL ZEISS EARLY VERSION ABBE APERTOMETER ABBE APERTOMETER abbe apertometer early
c. 1900 GERMAN ZEISS COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'DECKGLASTASTER' Zeiss micrometer

.

MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES BY MAKER
Note that makers are determined by signature on the instrument, or attributed(A) to a particular maker by certain known important features of construction; otherwise the maker is listed as unknown.
Click on a picture to see more images and details. Click on a letter to jump to last names starting with that letter:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ
A
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
B
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1865-1912 ENGLISHBECK OPAQUE OBJECT ROTATOR 'OPAQUE DISK REVOLVER' disk revolver
c. 1890-1900 AMERICAN BAUSCH & LOMB COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'COVER-GLASS GAUGE' micrometer
c. 1900 AMERICAN BAUSCH & LOMB REAGENT KIT 'REAGENT KIT' b and l kit
c. 1910 ENGLISH R. & J. BECK EIKONOMETER 'WRIGHT' TYPE Wright Eikonometer
c. 1885 AMERICANW.H. BULLOCHRINGING TABLE 'TURNTABLE'ringing table
C
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1880-1910 ENGLISHCHARLES COLLINSSLIDE-MAKING KIT 'MOUNTING CABINET'Slide Making Kit
c. 1880 ENGLAND J. BROWNING SORBY-BROWNING MICROSPECTROSCOPE 'MICROSPECTROSCOPE' microspectroscope
D
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
E
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
F
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
G
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
H
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1925 ENGLISH CHARLES HEARSON INCUBATOR-WARMING STAGE 'ELECTRIC INCUBATOR FOR THE MICROSCOPE STAGE' stage warmer
I
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
J
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
xxxx XXXX xxxx XXXXX 'XXXX' XXXX
K
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
L
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c.XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXX
M
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
N
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
O
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
P
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
XXXX FRENCH XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX
Q
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
R
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
S
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
1900 ENGLISHSWIFT COMPRESSOR 'PIPER'S REVERSIBLE COMPRESSOR' piper compressor
T
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1885 ENGLAND THOMPSON & CAPPER TROUGH 'BOTTERILL TROUGH" botterill trough
U
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1900 ENGLISH UNKNOWN COMPRESSOR OR
COMPRESSORIUM		 'ROUSSELET' TYPE Rousselet compr
V
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
W
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSROTATING SELENITE STAGE 'SELENITE STAGE'selenite stage
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSSELENITE STAGE WITH ROTATING MICA DISK 'MICA-SELENITE STAGE'selenite stage
c. 1895-1940 ENGLAND W. WATSON MODIFIED ROUSSELET COMPRESSOR 'IMPROVED ROUSSELET COMPRESSOR' compressor
c. 1915 ENGLAND W. WATSON EYEPIECE MICROMETER 'SCREW MICROMETER EYEPIECE' eye micrometer
c. XXXX XXXX XXXX 'XXXX' XXXX
c. XXXX xxxx XXXX ---- 'XXXX' XXXX
XYZ
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1878 GERMANCARL ZEISS EARLY VERSION ABBE APERTOMETER ABBE APERTOMETER abbe apertometer early
c. 1900 GERMAN ZEISS COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'DECKGLASTASTER' Zeiss micrometer
c. 1870-1890 AMERICAN OR ENGLISHInvented by Joseph Zentmeyer Condenser with Zentmeyer's Adjustable Stop Condenser with Zentmeyer's Adjustable Stop Zentmeyer Condenser
c. XXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX 'XXXX' XXXX


MICROSCOPE ACCESSORIES BY TYPE
Note that this classification is based on traditional categories, but is somewhat arbitrary.
Click on a picture to see more images and details.
TYPES: ...EYEPIECES (OCULARS) INCLUDING EYEPIECE MICROMETERS AND MICROSPECTROSCOPES
CAMERA LUCIDAS & DRAWING EYEPIECES
APERTOMETERS
OBJECTIVES
ILLUMINATION APPARATUS, FREE STANDING
ILLUMINATING APPARATUS ATTACHING TO THE MICROSCOPE
COMPRESSORS OR COMPRESSORIA
COVERSLIP MICROMETERS
LIVEBOXES & TROUGHS
CONDENSORS AND POLARIZING APPARATUS
DISSECTING AND SPECIMEN COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
MICROTOMES AND RELATED APPARATUS
SLIDE-MAKING AND RELATED APPARATUS
OBJECT MARKERS
MISCELLANEOUS
APERTOMETERS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1878 GERMANY C ZEISS EARLY FORM ABBE APERTOMETER 'ABBE APERTOMETER' abbe apertometer
EYEPIECES (OCULARS)INCLUDING EYEPIECE MICROMETERS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1915 ENGLAND W. WATSON EYEPIECE MICROMETER 'SCREW MICROMETER EYEPIECE' eye micrometer
c. 1880 ENGLAND J. BROWNING SORBY-BROWNING MICROSPECTROSCOPE 'MICROSPECTROSCOPE' microspectroscope
CAMERA LUCIDAS AND DRAWING EYEPIECES
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
COVERSLIP MICROMETERS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1890-1900 AMERICAN BAUSCH & LOMB COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'COVER-GLASS GAUGE' micrometer
c. 1900 GERMAN ZEISS COVERSLIP MICROMETER 'DECKGLASTASTER' Zeiss micrometer
c. 2nd half 19th C. FRENCH--?-- COVERSLIP MICROMETER ---- micrometer
COMPRESSORS OR COMPRESSORIA
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
2nd Half 19th C. ENGLISH SMITH & BECK OR ROSS SCHIEK-TYPE LEVER COMPRESSOR 'LEVER COMPRESSOR' lever compressor
c. 1895 ENGLISH UNKNOWN COMPRESSOR OR
COMPRESSORIUM		 'ROUSSELET' TYPE Rousselet compr
1900 ENGLISHSWIFT COMPRESSOR 'PIPER'S REVERSIBLE COMPRESSOR' piper compressor
c. 1895-1940 ENGLAND W. WATSON MODIFIED ROUSSELET COMPRESSOR 'IMPROVED ROUSSELET COMPRESSOR' compressor
OBJECTIVES
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
LIVEBOXES AND TROUGHS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1885 ENGLAND THOMPSON & CAPPER TROUGH 'BOTTERILL TROUGH" botterill trough
CONDENSERS AND POLARIZING APPARATUS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1870-1890 AMERICAN OR ENGLISHInvented by Joseph Zentmeyer Condenser with Zentmeyer's Adjustable Stop Condenser with Zentmeyer's Adjustable Stop Zentmeyer Condenser
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSROTATING SELENITE STAGE 'SELENITE STAGE'Selenite stage
c. 1880-1940 ENGLISHW WATSON & SONSROTATING SELENITE STAGE 'SELENITE STAGE'SELENITE STAGE
APPARATUS FOR DISSECTION AND SPECIMEN COLLECTION
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
ILLUMINATING ACCESSORIES ATTACHING TO THE MICROSCOPE
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
FREESTANDING ILLUMINATING APPARATUS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
2nd Half 19th C. ENGLISHUnknown Illuminator, freestanding 'Amici Lenticular Illuminator' lenticular illuminator
MICROTOMES AND RELATED ACCESSORIES
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
SLIDE PREPARATION AND RELATED APPARATUS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1880-1910 ENGLISHCHARLES COLLINSSLIDE-MAKING KIT 'MOUNTING CABINET'Slide Making Kit
c. 1885 AMERICANW.H. BULLOCHSLIDE RINGING TABLE 'TURNTABLE'ringing table
c. 1885 ENGLISHunknownMOUNTING INSTRUMENT 'SMITH'S MOUNTING INSTRUMENT'Smith Mounting Instrument
c. 1900 AMERICAN BAUSCH & LOMB REAGENT KIT 'REAGENT KIT' b and l kit
OBJECT MARKERS
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
19th C. ENGLAND ----- STAMPING OBJECT MARKER ---- OM
C 1925 ENGLAND WATSON & SONS DIAMOND OBJECT MARKER ---- OM
MISCELLANEOUS ACCESSORIES FOR THE MICROSCOPE
DATE COUNTRY ORIGIN MAKER TYPE MODEL IMAGES
c. 1865-1912 ENGLISHBECK OPAQUE OBJECT ROTATOR 'OPAQUE DISK REVOLVER' disk revolver
c. 1910 ENGLISH R. & J. BECK EIKONOMETER 'WRIGHT' TYPE Wright Eikonometer
c. 1925 ENGLISH CHARLES HEARSON INCUBATOR-WARMING STAGE 'ELECTRIC INCUBATOR FOR THE MICROSCOPE STAGE' stage warmer