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History of Science Museum

Solar Microscope, Microscope Case, Printed Description and Accessories

Inventory Number 27142


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.27142

Subject
Microscopy
Item type
Object
Makers
Nairne
Primary inscriptions
NAIRNE LONDON".
Other inscriptions
"E(dward) Nairne London 20 Cornhill London 1773" in the lid of the box
Object type
Microscope
Dimensions
Weight: 1.75kg
Inventory No
27142

Description

Solar microscope, microscope case and printed description. The back plate (.1) has two winged screws on the front to adjust the position and angle of the mirror. No mirror is present. The body tube (.2) screws onto the plate as a conical nose. A screw-barrel assembly fits over the nose and screws onto a thread at its base. An ivory handle (.3) attaches to the screw-barrel component so it can be used as a hand held microscope. The box (.7) is oak with a hinged lid, hook fasteners, a locking mechanism with a decorative front section and green felt facing some of the supports. The accessories are a lens (.4) for the body and an instruction booklet (.5) for the screw barrel microscope, with a decorative front cover that has a multi-coloured feathery design. There is also a handwritten description in pencil (.6)