Adams's universal compound microscope
Date1805-1811
Inventory Number1185
ClassificationMicroscope
Subject
Maker
Robert Bancks
fl. 1796 - 1831
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions54 x 25 x 25.5 cm (21 1/4 x 9 13/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
case: 8.5 x 45 x 31.5 cm (3 3/8 x 17 11/16 x 12 3/8 in.)
case: 8.5 x 45 x 31.5 cm (3 3/8 x 17 11/16 x 12 3/8 in.)
Material
Accessories6 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.
DescriptionThis is a brass universal compound microscope in the later style of George Adams's "universal compound microscope." It is similar to what became known as "Jones's most improved" microscope, which has a body with a slightly different shape. Like other so-called universal microscopes, it can be set up as either a compound or simple microscope.
A tube with threaded ocular and intermediate lens is threaded into an arm with aquatic motion. A wheel assembly with 6 objectives screws into the arm from below. Alternatively, a magnifier with Lieberkuhn screws into the arm. The arm is mounted at the top of a square limb, which is held by a compass joint to a tapered tubular pillar with molded top and base. The pillar stands on a folding tripod base. The stage is moved by rack and pinion for focusing. A substage mirror and condensing lens slide on the limb.
This instrument is currently fitted with a "modern" eyepiece and polarizing set-up either by Banks or some other skilled instrument maker.
A tube with threaded ocular and intermediate lens is threaded into an arm with aquatic motion. A wheel assembly with 6 objectives screws into the arm from below. Alternatively, a magnifier with Lieberkuhn screws into the arm. The arm is mounted at the top of a square limb, which is held by a compass joint to a tapered tubular pillar with molded top and base. The pillar stands on a folding tripod base. The stage is moved by rack and pinion for focusing. A substage mirror and condensing lens slide on the limb.
This instrument is currently fitted with a "modern" eyepiece and polarizing set-up either by Banks or some other skilled instrument maker.
Signedon feet: Banks, Instr. Maker to the Prince of Wales / 441 Strand London
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Richard Mills, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, September 2, 1960. Donated to CHSI February 13, 1963.
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 Brettell Bate
Date: 1800-1825
Accessories: 2 objective lenses with lieberkuhns; 4 objectives; 3 ivory slides; stage forceps; brass tweezers; mica cover slips and wire retaining rings in ivory box; drop-in spring stage to hold slides; case.
Object number: 1013
Edward Marmaduke Clarke
Date: 1838-1840
Accessories: 5 objectives for simple microscope; 2 objectives for compound microscope (1 in can; 1 with lieberkuhn); cup diaphragm with lieberkuhn in brass box; brass box of cover slips; stage forceps; tweezers; 2 live boxes; frog plate; bull's eye; fish tube wire; wrench; chamois; 2 unmounted lenses; 40 prepared slides; standing case; 2 keys.
Object number: 1018
Harmanus van Deyl
Date: 1807
Accessories: 2 objectives; 2 eye lenses for a fixed field lens; 1 Lieberkühn; frogplate; bull's eye; stage forceps; spring stage; live box; hand lens; 2 tweezers; 2 boxes with 59 specimen slides; glass disk; black disk; "fish" tube with wire; ivory box of mica cover slips; 5 glass slides; 3 lenses; 2 keys.
Object number: 2002-1-0075a
Baumann
Date: 1775-1800
Accessories: 6 objectives: 1-6; 1 eyepiece; 1 partial objective; a lieberkuhn in a brass box; 2 wooden sliders; 1 ivory slider; ivory box with cover slips and springs; 2 spring stages (slider holders); cup diaphragm; wheel diaphragm; frog plate; 2 live boxes; tweezers; steel tweezers with pin; magnifying glass; 2 ivory rings; horizontal box.
Object number: 1253
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
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
Robert Bancks
Date: 1805-1810
Accessories: 2 lenses; stage forceps
Object number: 1194
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
Charles Lincoln
Date: 1770-1775
Accessories: 5 objectives; 1 Lieberkühn; 1 cone; tadpole glasses and wire; 6 ivory slides; mica covers and wire rings; stage bull's eye magnifier; 2 hand magnifiers; spring slide holder; fish plate; instruction booklet; fold out plate (glued to cardstock); list of objects on slides.
Object number: 1047
John Dollond (II)
Date: 1775-1800
Accessories: objectives (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
Object number: 1224
Alexander Mackenzie
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: 2 stage forceps; tweezers; live box; substage mirror; convertible objective of three lenses; 3 ivory slides; magnifier lens; cardboard box for covers; instruction sheet; flat case.
Object number: 1261