microscope optics in case
Datecirca 1899
Inventory Number1997-1-1873
ClassificationMicroscope Optics
Subject
Maker
Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena
1846 - 1904
Maker
Carl Zeiss (company timeline)
founded 1846
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionscase: 9.7 × 33.5 × 7 cm (3 13/16 × 13 3/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
Material
Accessoriescase
DescriptionThis is a set of microscope optics and related acessories stored in a velvet-lined wooden case for a Zeiss stand Ic microscope. The case holds a set of twelve objective slides, one with a vertical illuminator. These are stored on a dovetail rack that is attached to the inside of the case.
Also present in the case are three apochromats (4mm Apert. 0.95; 8mm Apert. 0.85; 16 mm Apert. 0.30), one plankton finder, and three water immersion objectives (AA, a2, D*). These are stored in their matching brass canisters. There is a also an extra empty brass canister for objective a*, which is missing.
There are a total of eight oculars. Five of these are compensating oculars (2, 4, 6, 6, 18), one is a micrometer eyepiece, and two are regular oculars (3, 5).
Other accessories include two tube slides, four eyepiece micrometers in turned ivory cases, and one triple nosepiece.
The case also holds a small red leather case that is stamped, "KREUZTISCH-ZENTRIERGLAS." This case is presently empty. It held a stage centering glass.
These accessories belong with microscopy accessories 1997-1-1931a and 1997-1-1931b.
Also present in the case are three apochromats (4mm Apert. 0.95; 8mm Apert. 0.85; 16 mm Apert. 0.30), one plankton finder, and three water immersion objectives (AA, a2, D*). These are stored in their matching brass canisters. There is a also an extra empty brass canister for objective a*, which is missing.
There are a total of eight oculars. Five of these are compensating oculars (2, 4, 6, 6, 18), one is a micrometer eyepiece, and two are regular oculars (3, 5).
Other accessories include two tube slides, four eyepiece micrometers in turned ivory cases, and one triple nosepiece.
The case also holds a small red leather case that is stamped, "KREUZTISCH-ZENTRIERGLAS." This case is presently empty. It held a stage centering glass.
These accessories belong with microscopy accessories 1997-1-1931a and 1997-1-1931b.
Signedengraved on vertical illuminator: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
engraved on objectives: CARL ZEISS / JENA {in achromat trademark]
engraved on canisters for objectives AA, A2, D*, and plankton finder:
CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on canisters for apochromats 6mm and 16mm: Carl Zeiss, Jena
engraved in cursive on canister for apochromat 4 mm: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
engraved on empty canister a*: C. ZEISS / JENA
engraved on micrometer ocular 3 and compensating ocular 5: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on compensating ocular 6: Germany
engraved on oculars 5, 3, and compensating oculars 2, 4, 18: Carl Zeiss, Jena
engraved on tube slides: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
stamped on small case: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on triple nosepiece: ZEISS / JENA
Inscribedstamped on small case: KREUZTISCH-ZENTRIERGLAS
FunctionThis instrument was probably used for nature studies.
ProvenanceArthur Fitch Benson of Salem, MA; gift to niece, Silvia Benson (Mrs. Ralph Lawson), the daughter of the artist, Frank W. Benson (1862-1951), before 1971; gift to CHSI, 1972.
Historical AttributesThis case of accessories accompanied the Zeiss stand Ic compound microscope owned by Mr. Arthur Fitch Benson of Salem, MA. He was born in 1869 and was a younger brother of the American artist, Frank Weston Benson (1862-1951), also from Salem.
The microscope and accessories were passed down in the Benson family to Arthur's niece, Sylvia Benson (b. 1898), who was the artist's daughter. She is pictured (standing) in an impressionistic oil painting made in North Haven, Maine in 1909 by Benson, entitled "Summer." The <a href="https://risdmuseum.org/art_design/objects/1046_summer" target="_blank">painting</a> is at the Museum of Art of the Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence, RI.
In June 1971, the microscope was stolen from the family, but the case and accessories were not. On May 2, 1972, the remains were given to CHSI by Sylvia Benson (Mrs. Ralph Lawson).
Ernst Abbe
Date: circa 1886
Accessories: oculars (5): 0, 1,2, 3, 4; objectives (7): AA, A, C, D, E, F, 1/12 Homog. Immers. Apert. 1.20; Abbe condenser; disc diaphragms (6); cup diaphragms (3) with frame; articulated substage mirror; cyllindrical wooden box; key; case. See also Leitz camera lucida in small box (1123b) and stage screw micrometer (1123c).
Object number: 1123a
Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena
Date: 1898-1905
Accessories: oculars (5): 2, 2, 4, 8 compens, 12 compens; objectives (4) in canisters (5): a2, B, C [missing], E, F; rotary stage; lenses on handles (2); small posterior lens; eyepiece micrometers (2); brush; spare stage clips; pointer; key; dual nosepiece; standing case; leather traveling case.
Object number: 1997-1-1931a
Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena
Date: circa 1902
Accessories: oculars (5); objectives (5); microplanar objectives (2); iris diaphragm; abbe condenser; collars and sleeves for photography; parts box; Leitz object micrometer (1308b); cardioid condenser (1308d); immersion oil bottle (1308c) ; Leitz erecting prism (1308e); standing case with key
Object number: 1308a
R. & J. Beck
Date: 1876
Accessories: Beck patent substage condenser (1122c); apertometer (1122d)
Object number: 1122b
Boston Optical Works
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: 3 Tolles objectives: 1 with 3 fronts; empty can 8/10; 5 Tolles oculars 34 mm dia.: 2 all solid, 2 solid field l. & single eye lens, 1 std.; blue filter; case; key. Also see 1016a: microscope with centerable condenser with diaphragm wheel; and mechanical stage. 1016c: side illumination prism. 1016d, e, f: specialized Tolles objectives.
Object number: 1016b
Carl Friedrich Zeiss
Date: 1885
Accessories: oculars (2): 5, 5 x 1.5; objectives (2): aa and E with canisters; Abbe condensor with swing-out mount for disk diaphragms; disk diaphragms (6); 2 cup diaphragm / cylinder stop holders; cup diaphragms (3); nicol prism polarizer in half canister; instrument case; stereoscopic eyepiece (1126c); camera lucida (1126b); blood corpuscle counting apparatus (1126d).
Object number: 1126a
Andrew Pritchard
Date: 1835-1840
Accessories: objectives (4); oculars (6); lieberkühns (4); stage forceps; bull's eye condenser on stand; spring stage; extra mechanical stage; polarizer; cup diaphragms and holders; substage fork mount; live box; glass troughs (2); concave glass; fish tube holder; case; 2 keys. See also slide micrometers (2) (1088b,c)
Object number: 1088a
Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena
Date: circa 1886
Accessories: oculars (2): Leitz 4xB, Winkel Zeiss kl 2; objectives (4): Leitz 7, 1/7a oil immersion, Zeiss B, HI 90 iris, B&L 8mm, 1/5, Grunow 1/6; B&L double nosepiece; parabolic reflector for stage; Abbe condensor with iris-cylinder diaphragm; articulated substage mirror; frame for cup diaphragms; cup diaphragms (2); Zeiss-B&L polarizing analyzer A6; Zeiss-B&L vertical illuminator; flat case; key.
Object number: 1044
Carl Reichert
Date: circa 1879
Accessories: 5 objectives: Hartnack # 4, 7, 8, No. II Hom. Imm. No. 2 in Hartnack case; Homog. Oil immersion by Reichert in own case. 2 oculars: 2, 3; 2 disc diaphrams, 3 cup diaphrams which fit in sliding plate, sliding plate and holder for diaphrams; condenser; revolving nose piece; extra frame for mirror on slider; fitted case; key to case.
Object number: 1077a
Hugh Powell
Date: 1841
Accessories: oculars (2); objectives (3): 1/2, 1/8, 1/4 with attachable Lieberkühn; stage slide holder; stage fish plate holder; X-Y mechanical stage; fish plate; prepared slides (2); plain glass slides (2) and cover slips (2); box of cover slips; sponge; cotton bag; folding scalpel; fish plate; mount for stage forceps; fishhook; assorted hardware; case
Object number: 1164
Carl Zeiss Jena
Date: circa 1925
Accessories: oculars (6); B&L paired objectives (3): 20x, 14x, 0.7x; Zeiss paired objective; flat case
Object number: 1997-1-1871
Constant Vérick
Date: circa 1875
Accessories: oculars (3): 1, 2, 3; objectives (7): 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 water immersion (2); substage stops (3); condenser with aperture diaphragm wheel on dovetail slide; bullseye; revolving double nosepiece; spatula; blue glass filter; case; and key
Object number: 1012
