Accession No

6826

Brief Description

"The Lady's Companion to the Work-table"; telescopic magnifier or simple microscope on weighted pin cushion, by Elisabeth Garnham, English, 1864 (c)

Origin

England

Maker

Garnham, Elisabeth

Class

microscopes

Earliest Date

1864

Latest Date

1864

Inscription Date

(c)

Material

wood (mahogany); metal (lead, brass); cloth (velvet, felt); glass

Dimensions

130mm (diamater), 45mm (height)

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Mike Read Antiques, 8 Albertus Road, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4JQ in May 2024.

Inscription

INVENTED BY
MRS. GARNHAM,
Churchgate-street,
BURY ST. EDMUNDS. [bottom, on attached label]

Description Notes

"The Lady's Companion to the Work-table"; telescopic magnifier or simple microscope on weighted pin cushion, by Annie Garnham, English, 1864 (c)

Telescopic magnifier or simple microscope on lead-weighted circular velvet pin cushion. Cushion is set into a mahogany frame, with an indent in the middle for the magnifier to fold into when not erect. The magnifier lens is set into a brass stand, which is hinged in two places along its length.

The base of the object is lined with felt, which has started to deteriorate and leave the wooden base exposed. Some of the lead weighting can also be seen through the deteriorated felt. A label is attached to the base naming Mrs Garnham as the inventor, and a street in Bury St Edmunds as her address.

References

Events