'PHYSICIAN'S MICROSCOPE':

c. 1896

Signed on the body tube: Bausch & Lomb Optical, Rochester New York

Serial Number: 1017

DESCRIPTION

Bausch & Lomb's 'Physicians Microscope' 3rd and final form with serial number 21059, dating it to 1896, the last year of manufacture. Engraved on the arm is 'Pat. Oct. 13, 1885.' which refers to the patent for Gundlach's 'frictionless' fine focus. The sliding stage attachment is engraved with 'PAT. DEC. 25 1877.'on the metal slide, and 'Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.' is engraved in 'Old English' type on the glass portion of the stage as well; below the company name is 'Rochester & New York City' in small block letters. It has a silver scaled rotating single (but double-sided) substage tailpiece and wheel of apertures type condenser, on sliding fitting, dovetailing into front of tailpiece, while the mirror support similarly dovetails into the back side of the tailpiece. The mirror can swing independently of the tailpiece and also be moved up and down the tailpiece. The microscope has rack and pinion coarse and Gundlach patented "frictionless" fine screw focus. It came with its original case with serial number on back of stage 21058 and 21059 printed on magnification card on inside of door.

Accessories include:

1. 3 eyepieces
2. 2 objectives in cans
3. B & L stage forceps, signed 'Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.'
4. glass ledge slide
5. camera lucida
6. tweezers
7. camel-hair brush for cleaning optics
8. an original Bausch & Lomb carboard box containing blank slides and coverslips

The eyepieces are 1 inch, 2 inch, and 3 inch. Objectives include a series III 1/5 inch with correction collar, 0.9 NA and also a 3/4 inch; both objectives are by B & L. The wheel of apertures is unusual in that it is a hemispherical shape with the apertures on a second hemisphere inside the outer one. All in excellent condition, except the camera lucida glass cracked and broken.

HISTORY OF THE PHYSICIAN'S MICROSCOPE

B & L started to produce microscopes in 1874, but the earliest surviving stands date to about 1876, when they exhibited during the centenial exhibition in Philadelphia. The earliest version of the Physician's microscope dates to 1876 through 1879 and had a hard rubber stage. Sometime around 1876, the first B & L microscope with a glass stage, the Large Student's and also the first Professional models were released. The only difference in these two stands was that the Professional model had slightly longer and thinner pillars than the Large Student's. In 1878, the second version of the Physician's microscope was released and also had the glass stage with the knobs on the sides of the slide-holder. The final version of the Physician's microscope, first advertised in 1884, had the knobs on top of the slide holder, and had the addition of a calibrated swinging substage. This model was made until at least 1896. The final form, made in the last year of manufacture is the example shown at the top of this page. This last version includes a fitting on the tailpiece for a condenser, a late addition to the stand. All the Physician's models are relatively uncommon. The instrument was a bit expensive in its day, and for this reason, often was not used by physicians. This example belonged to a gentleman whose hobby was entomology and he travelled the world in search of insects. He had a large number of watchglasses, likely for observation of pond life in the case with the microscope.