solar microscope
Date1775-1800
Inventory Number1224
ClassificationMicroscope
Subject
Maker
John Dollond (II)
1733 - 1804
Maker
Peter Dollond
1731 - 1820
Maker
Peter & John Dollond
fl. 1766 - 1804
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions19 x 35 x 13.5 cm (7 1/2 x 13 3/4 x 5 5/16 in.)
case: 6.5 x 16 x 30.5 cm (2 9/16 x 6 5/16 x 12 in.)
case: 6.5 x 16 x 30.5 cm (2 9/16 x 6 5/16 x 12 in.)
Material
Accessoriesobjectives (6); magnifier; brass slider with 4 positions; short brass slides with condensors (3); ivory slides (7); ivory box with mica covers and rings; horizontal case
Bibliography
The Great Age of the Microscope: The Collection of the Royal Microscopical Society through 150 years
DescriptionThis is a solar microscope manufactured by the London optician John Dollond II or the firm run by his brother and himself, Peter and John Dollond. The all brass instrument comprises a square mounting plate with an adjustable mirror on one side and a microscope tube on the other. The mirror can be rotated by means of rack and pinion and inclined by a screw. The body tube has a condensing lens where it attaches to the plate. The other end has a spring-loaded barrel tube that holds a second condenser, the specimen, and the projection lens.
The instrument comes with auxiliary condensers and six separate projection lenses.
All parts are stored in a flat wooden case.
The instrument comes with auxiliary condensers and six separate projection lenses.
All parts are stored in a flat wooden case.
Signedon mounting plate: DOLLOND LONDON
FunctionThe solar microscope was intended to be fixed to a window shutter with the mirror outside and the tube extending into the room. The sunlight reflected from the mirror would then pass through the condensing and projection lenses, and the image would be projected into the room.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Alain Brieux, Paris, June 1, 1964 (lot 17/5). Donated to CHSI November 2, 1964.
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
François-Antoine Jecker
Date: circa 1801
Accessories: 1 Objective: 1, with male thread 11mm dia. x 0.6 mm; fixed ocular; tweezers; glass slide; ivory slide with 5 positions containing 5 specimens; watch glass; mahogany flat case.
Object number: 1216
I. M.
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: Two wooden slides with 6 positions and cardboard sheaths.
Object number: 1155
George Adams (I)
Date: circa 1766
Accessories: 6 ivory slides; 2 wooden slides
Object number: 1109
Claude-Siméon Passemant
Date: 1749-1769
Accessories: ocular; objectives (7); bull's eye condenser; Lieberkühn for stage mounting; cone diaphragm; spring frame for slides; frog plate; stage forceps; large and small black and white disks (2); round micrometer slide with fine wire screen; low-power lens; black aperture disk; brass slider for 4 specimens; ivory slides--rectangular (6); ivory slides--circular (2); brass slide with aperture to hold circular ivory slides; boxes (2) of round ivory slides (40 in total).
Object number: 1182
William Cary
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: objectives (4): 1 to 4; attached ocular; objective with Lieberkühn; 4 ivory slides; 2 stage forceps; scalpel, dissecting needle, brush; 3 glass slides; mirror; bull's eye condenser; insect box; black/white disc; round brass stage with glass window ; flat wooden case; booklet.
Object number: 1162
Edward Bryan
Date: 1866-1879
Accessories: objectives in canisters (3): 1/4, 1, 2 inch; ocular; live box; box of cover slips; prepared slides (5 small, 12 large); ivory slide; 5 powdered specimens in blue paper; bull's eye condenser; stage forceps; standing case with parts drawer.
Object number: 1085
Edmund Culpeper
Date: circa 1730
Accessories: 6 objectives for screw-barrel microscope; 3 objectives for compound body; 1 lieberkuhn; 1 opaque attachment; brass box; 2 ivory slides, 1 brass wet-cell slide; tweezer; ivory handle; glass specimen fish tube; storage box; instruction booklet by Culpeper (stored in instrument file).
Object number: 1173
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
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
William Gough
Date: circa 1808
Accessories: slide of objectives with glass missing; ivory slides (5); ivory box of mica covers; flat mahogany case
Object number: 1168
the Reverend John Prince
Date: ca. 1796
Accessories: box of lenses and slides (0044b)
Object number: 0044a