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History of Science Museum

Simple and Compound Microscope with Accessories and Case by A. Pritchard, London

Inventory Number 52037


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.52037

Subject
Microscopy
Item type
Object
Makers
Pritchard
Provenance
Purchased from Dr. Reginald S. Clay
Physical material
Brass
Wood
Object type
Microscope
Dimensions
Height: 500mm Width: 225mm
Inventory No
52037

Description

The cylindrical pillar stands on a flat tripod foot. An inner pillar telescopes upwards and is held in place by a tightening collar. The limb is held in a sleeve attached to the stand by a compass joint. The stage, mounted at the top of the limb, has a pinhole for accessories and a bracket on pins to hold specimens. A milled screw raises a triangular sectioned bar from within the limb, for focusing. An arm with a ring at each end, one of which is threaded, holds the body tube or simple objective lenses. Attached to the microscope limb by a horseshoe bracket is a Plano mirror. Above the mirror is a removable bulls eye lens. The microscope is housed in a mahogany case which has a hinged door which can be locked with a key on the side of the case. Inside the case are five drawers for accessories, and a wooden hand rest which fits over the compass joint. The drawers hold an objective with a Lieberkühn in a maroon leather case; two simple objective lenses; a scalpel and scissors with ebony handles; two clamps with ivory handles; two accessory arms with stage forceps with a cork disc and a bull's-eye lens on a steel pin; a specimen compressor; three maroon leather cases containing 50 sliders; two glass vials; a set of three handwritten papers; a set of four specimens in glass slides; a set of seven glass sliders wrapped in paper; a glass disc; and a set of specimens including seaweed and moth wings. and a wooden hand rest that fits over the compass joint.