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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
595 (L’Ingénieur
Chevallier; Compound microscope; late 19th century)
Jean Gabriel Augustin
Chevallier established his optical shop at 1 Quai de l’Horloge, Paris, in
1796, and adopted the title “l’Ingénieur”, many times signing his instruments
with “l’Ingénieur Chevallier”. J.G.A. Chevallier sold his business in 1842 to
his son-in-law, Alexandre Victor Ducray, and daughter, Marie Louise Melanie
Chevallier. In 1848, they and their children legally adopted the surname
“Ducray-Chevallier”. Around 1842, the business moved to 15 Rue de Pont-Neuf,
Paris. After J.G.A. Chevallier’s death in 1948, the firm became “Maison de
l’Ingénieur Chevallier”. This name was retained after Alexandre
Ducray-Chevallier’s death in 1879, and the sale of the business by Marie
Louise to Charles and René Avizard in 1883 and persisted well into the twentieth
century. The Avizards moved the shop to 21 Rue Royale in 1900 and merged
their businesses under the name “Maison de l’Ingénieur Chevallier, Avizard
Frères, successeurs”. The shop moved to 27 Avenue de l’Opéra between 1914
and 1921. The firm is not related with, but is many times confused with the
other well-known family of Parisian opticians Vincent Chevalier (1770-1841),
Charles Chevalier 1804-1859), and Arthur Chevalier (1830-1874). Microscope
595 is a simple compound microscope engraved with “Maison de l'Ing.
Chevallier Optn, Place du Pont-Neuf, 15, Paris”. The instrument should be
dated to the late-19th century. |
