Accession No
1821
Brief Description
simple microscope, pocket, by George Lindsay, English, 1744
Origin
England
Maker
Lindsay, George
Class
microscopes
Earliest Date
1744
Latest Date
1744
Inscription Date
1744
Material
metal (brass, silver); glass (mirror); ivory; leather (shagreen); cloth (velvet)
Dimensions
case length 80mm; breadth 59mm; height 34mm
Special Collection
Heywood collection
Provenance
Purchased from the H. Heywood collection under estate duty exemption benefit with the assistance of a Science Museum grant-in-aid.
Inscription
“Geo Lindsay / Inv & Fec” (on silver plaque at front);
“1744” (stamped under bed plate);
“85” (behind fixed support)
Description Notes
Brass; bed plate with focussing stage controlled by lever arm; fixed plain mirror; opposite end a fixed support grooved to take lens plates; silver focussing plate on the side of the bed plate marked 1-7. by 1. hinged pierced handle below bed plate with slot for pillar stand. (pillar and flat tripod foot not extant). Stage forceps; turned ivory talc and ring box; 2 lens slides, 2,3,4, and 5,6,7. Fitted wooden case, covered in black shagreen and lined with green velvet.
References
Events
Description
Throughout the 18th century, microscopy remained essentially an amateur activity, the province of educated naturalists and gentlemen with time to explore the mysteries of science.
Instrument makers responded to the nature of the demand for their products with ingenious developments in design. This instrument is an example of a delicately made pocket microscope which could be dismantled and fitted into an attractive miniature case.
George Lindsay in London and John Clark in Edinburgh were mid-18th century instrument makers who made particularly fine examples of pocket microscopes. This instrument is the cheaper, brass version of Lindsay’s pocket microscope, patented in 1743. It was made to the same dimensions as the more luxurious silver type and included the same accessories.
30/08/2006
Created by: updated by Ruth Horry on 30/08/2006
FM:45750
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