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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
472
(unassigned maker; flower microscope; 19th century)
This small
folding instrument has been referred to as a botanical, flower, insect or
entomological microscope, depending on the authors or makers (Figure 1).
These instruments were very popular in the 18th and 19th
centuries and were first described in 1798 in George Adam's ‘Essays on the
Microscope" (published by W. and S. Jones). Most 19th
century instrument makers sold microscopes like these for many years up to at
least 1890 and perhaps into the early 20th century. Among these
instrument makers or retailers, we can find R&J Beck, B. Pike, W.
McAllister, J. Queen, Negretti and Zambra and Palmer. The optics consist of
two small threaded lenses which can be used alone or together providing three
different magnifications. The original specimen holder of this instrument is
missing.
Figure 1. Flower microscope as engraved in the
catalogues of Negretti & Zambra from 1859 (A) and R & J Beck from
1882 (B). |
