Adams's universal compound microscope
Date1766-1787
Inventory Number1310
ClassificationMicroscope
Subject
Maker
George Adams (I)
1709 - 1772
Maker
George Adams (II)
English, 1750 - 1795
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
DimensionsOverall - Storage: 11.5 x 22.5 x 30.5 cm (4 1/2 x 8 7/8 x 12 in.)
Overall: 21 x 21.7 x 46 cm, 19.8 lb. (8 1/4 x 8 9/16 x 18 1/8 in., 9 kg)
Overall: 21 x 21.7 x 46 cm, 19.8 lb. (8 1/4 x 8 9/16 x 18 1/8 in., 9 kg)
Material
Accessories8 objectives; Lieberkühn; substage black cone; brass wet cell preparation slide; frog plate; live box; spring stage for slider; stage forceps; horizontal box.
DescriptionThis is this is the early form of George Adams's universal microscope and could be made by either the elder or younger George Adams. The folding tripod base has flat legs and supports a tapered pillar. A compass joint at the top of the pillar holds a square-sectioned rod on which travels the substage mirror and the stage. The stage has wings. Rackwork is used to adjust the stage. An arm extending off the top of the rod holds the optical assembly.
The fitted case is made of mahogany.
The fitted case is made of mahogany.
Signedon stage: G Adams / No 60 Fleet Street London
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Saul Moskowitz (Historical Technology, Inc.), Marblehead, Massachusetts, January 31, 1978 (catalog 114, #137). Donated to CHSI February 1978.
George Adams (I)
Date: 1770-1785
Accessories: 1 Objective marked: 5; no case.
Object number: 1374
Benjamin Wood
Date: 1820
Accessories: 10 objectives, numbered 1-10 (caps on 1 and 2); 4 objectives with lieberkuhns (one lens missing); 2 oculars; 3 simple lenses in eye cups; diaphragm cone; live box; spring stage; three-wing stage; double-convex lens on rod; simple-lens carrier on an arm; ivory black/white disk; 1 ivory disk with cork; 3 flat glass disks of differing sizes; 1 large glass disk in threaded brass rim; 1 watch glass; 3 large glass, magnifying lenses, one tinted green; 2 small magnifying glasses; stage condensor; fish plate; 2 stage forceps; 1 stage 3-pronged gripper; tweezers; 3 ivory handled knives for preparations; 10 small and 3 medium ivory slides of transparent specimens; 3 ivory slides of opaque specimens; 3 boxwood slides of transparent specimens; 1 brass wet-cell slide with 4 apertures for preparations; 2 cylindrical ivory boxes with mica cover slips and snap rings; wrench; chamois; flat case with sockets for the above; key.
Object number: 1002
Robert Bancks
Date: 1805-1811
Accessories: 6 objectives 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8; two high power/ short focal length lenses in round brass boxes: A, B; 2 lenses in black rings in cylindrical boxes for aquatic use: 30, 40; 3 Lieberkühns with lenses; cone diaphragm; polarizer set; brass live box; 2 stage forceps; frog plate; 2 oculars; tweezers; brush; brass wet cell preparation slide; 10 ivory slides; ivory box with slide covers and rings; spring stage mount; watch glass and bracket; bull's eye on stand; case.
Object number: 1185
George Adams (I)
Date: circa 1770
Accessories: objective (8); objective (3) with Lieberkühns; eyepiece (2); eye shade; lens to make the stand a simple aquatic microscope; hand lens; insert (7) for stage; insect box; spring clamp (2); narrow ivory slider (11); narrow ebony slider (9); wide wooden slider (6); ivory box (2) for mica covers; specialized tweezer (4); ivory handled dissection tool (3); flexible arm for holding a magnifying lens; small articulated bull's eye to fit on stage; special four-position slider for quick mounting of small specimens; lens of ~45 mm diameter
Object number: 2002-1-0047
George Adams (II)
Date: 1789
Accessories: 3 magnifiers attached on arms; 1 Lieberkühn (lens missing); 1 high power lens; Insect box with 2 glass covers; stage forceps; 2 ivory slides; box.
Object number: 1001
George Adams (I)
Date: 1760-1795
Accessories: second telescope - 0056b
Object number: 0056
Gilkerson & McAll
Date: 1826-1830
Accessories: wheel with 6 objectives; substage condensing lens; substage mirror; Lieberkühn for objectives; Lieberkühn carrier; magnifier lens with Lieberkühn; tilting magnifier lens; tweezers; stage forceps; watch glass; ivory disk; 10 slides (ivory, wood, ebonite); mahogany case.
Object number: 1009
Isaac Adams, Jr.
Date: 1865
Accessories: stored in modern cardboard tube with cotton wool. square wooden box, unmarked, with a sliding cover;
a small, approximately 2"x3" cardboard box, used for shipping, with postage indicating its use in 1930, from Daniel Lowe & Co., Salem, Massachusetts, to Mrs. R. Adams, Antisquam, Massachusetts.
Object number: 1997-1-1949
Peter & John Dollond
Date: circa 1768
Accessories: Aquatic and Wilson attachments; 2 lenses to fit either ; 2 silverplated Lieberkuhns with lenses ; stage forceps ; tweezers ; 3 bone slides ; 1 brass framed glass slide for Wilson
Object number: 1007
Matthew Loft
Date: 1730-1747
Accessories: 5 Objectives:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; round specimen carrier with eight preparations plus black and white discs; fish plate; stage forceps; live box; ivory box for cover glasses; cone diaphragm; pyramidal case.
Object number: 1180
George Adams (I)
Date: circa 1766
Accessories: 6 ivory slides; 2 wooden slides
Object number: 1109