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History of Science Museum

Screwbarrel Microscope, with Compass Microscope and Accessories, by James Wilson?, English, c. 1706

Inventory Number 17260


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.17260

Subject
Microscopy
Item type
Object
Provenance
Lent by Christ Church, Oxford in 1925..
Dimensions
Weight: 0.15kg
Inventory No
17260
Accession Number
1925-43

Description

Pocket or screwbarrel ivory and brass microscope, with velvet-lined fish-skin case. Unsigned and undated, but probably by James Wilson (c.1665-1730). Includes handle, lens, and object forceps.

The instrument corresponds to the improved type of pocket-microscope described in Wilson's second account of his microscope (1706). It could have been used for viewing the collection of slides Inv 30819.