Compound Microscope in Case with Accessories, by Nairne & Blunt, London, c. 1790

Culpeper type compound microscope by Nairne and Blunt. The body tube has an eyepiece and objective fitted and is held above the stage by three scroll-shaped supports, on the circular stage there are holes for an illuminating lens, a pin for stage forceps and a fishplate. The stage is then supported above the substage mirror by three further copper alloy scroll-shaped supports. The microscope is mounted on a mahogany platform with a pull out drawer which is separated into three sections, one containing four simple objectives, one for slides which contains six ivory slides and six glass as well as some accessories. The other section is for general accessories and contains a circular livebox, a Lieberkühn carrier, a fishplate, a dissecting instrument with an ivory handle, a Lieberkühn in a fitted box, a small spring stage and a cone aperture. Also in the drawers are some loose items including three screws, the lid of a talc box, some pieces of wood and paper, and some samples including one a rock and amber samples wrapped in paper. copper alloy illuminating lens and a pin for stage forceps both of which can be slotted into the microscope stage. The microscope and drawer is stored in a wooden pyramid case.