Accession No
0984
Brief Description
achromatic compound microscope, pocket, by James Swift, English, 1880 (c)
Origin
England; London; 43 University Street
Maker
Swift, James
Class
microscopes
Earliest Date
1880
Latest Date
1880
Inscription Date
Material
metal; brass; leather; cloth; wood
Dimensions
stage diameter 29mm; body length 53mm
Special Collection
Robert Whipple collection
Provenance
Inscription
‘J. Swift
43 University St
London. W.C.’ (eyepiece tube)
‘J. Swift
London’ (screwfit objective)
Description Notes
Brass hand held compound microscope. Brass bar with right angle struts at each end supports stage and sprung element for holding slide in position; steel rod with swinging concave mirror (numbered 293) passes through the base. Screw-fit body with push-fit draw tube; screw-fit objective in brass case, marked ‘1/5 in’, numbered 797, and a second unmarked 3/8 objective in brass case, numbered 732. Push fit draw tube with lens; two push fit eyepieces, one numbered 597. Analyser in a brass case. Screw fit polariser, numbered 691.
Leather covered case with brass hinges and lock; lined with purple silk and velvet.
condition: good
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.
30/08/2006
Created by: updated by Ruth Horry on 30/08/2006
FM:40280
Images (Click to view full size):
