demonstration compound microscope
Datecirca 1880
Inventory Number1033
ClassificationMicroscope
Subject
Maker
Boston Optical Works
fl. 1867 - 1895
Maker
Robert B. Tolles
1823 - 1883
Maker
Charles X. Dalton
1840 - 1912
Place of Origin
Dimensionsmicroscope: 5.5 × 8 × 28 cm (2 3/16 × 3 1/8 × 11 in.)
blue board box: 10.8 × 33.7 × 13.3 cm (4 1/4 × 13 1/4 × 5 1/4 in.)
blue board box: 10.8 × 33.7 × 13.3 cm (4 1/4 × 13 1/4 × 5 1/4 in.)
Material
AccessoriesOne unmarked demonstration slide; 1 objective, probably not by Tolles; 1 Society thread extender 14mm; 1 ocular, Huyghens?, 24.7 mm barrel, (45 deg. knurl suggests Tolles, although optics and eye end do not).
DescriptionA long, straight, telescoping brass tube carries the eyepiece on its inner draw tube. Coarse focus is by sliding the inner draw tube. Fine focus is done by threads connecting the outer tube to the stage. Stage has clips to hold the slide, and is attached directly to the optical assembly.
In Collection(s)
Signedon tube: Boston / Optical Works
FunctionThis is a demonstration microscope for use with transparent objects only. The instructor would pass the microscope around the class and each student would hold it up to a light or window.
ProvenanceEdward Allen Locke; gift to Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 33), Harvard Medical School, Jan 14, 1907.
Historical AttributesNote of Dr. Ernst: Presented by Dr. E. A. Locke, Jan 14, 1907 to the microscope collection. Dr. Lewis added that Dr. Locke knew nothing about the source or significance of this "gadget."
Boston Optical Works
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: 3 Tolles oculars 24.5 mm dia. : high power solid, med and low Huyghens; 2 Tolles objectives: 1/6 immersion dated 11/3/1878 and 1"(by can), no date, no collar; polarizer, no analyzer; substage double mirror; diaphragm wheel; no condenser; case.
Object number: 1130
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.; centerable condenser with diaphragm wheel; mech. stage; side illuminator prism; cabinet.
Object number: 1016a
Robert B. Tolles
Date: circa 1874
Accessories: 3 Objectives: Tolles (?) with front element missing, no date; Leitz 1/12 oel imm., tubus 160 mm; Tolles 1/6" 35 deg., no date; 4 Tolles oculars 24.5 mm dia.; condensor w. iris; diaphragm wheel; substage mirror w. opt. stand; Nichol's micr.; case. camera luc Abbe condensor; diaphragm wheel; separate stand f. substage mirror; standing case.
Object number: 1305
Boston Optical Works
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: Tolles objective 1/2 inch, 45 degree; nondescript eyepiece marked "1".
Object number: 1087
Boston Optical Works
Date: 1860-1890
Accessories: Three dated Tolles objectives: 1/2" Nov. 18, 1860, 1/4" Dec. 23, 1877, 1/5" Oct. 28, 1868; 1 high power solid eyepiece, 1 low power normal eyepiece; polarizer; substage mirror; mechanical stage, standing case.
Object number: 1066
Robert B. Tolles
Date: circa 1875
Accessories: 2 Tolles objectives: 1/8" dated 6/27/1866; 1/8" 120 deg. dated 3/7/1869, can marked: Immersion, also scratched: C. X. D. 1902; empty can for Tolles 1/4", now on inverted Tolles Nr. 1203; 2 oculars, no name, not solid, 24.5 mm dia.; Standing case.
Object number: 1127
Boston Optical Works
Date: circa 1870
Accessories: 1 Tolles objective with cap : 1/4" 40 deg. , dated 5/12/1868; 2 oculars 24.5 mm dia. ; simple stage with clips; diaphragm wheel; no condensor; substage mirror; objective cap; standing walnut case.
Object number: 1286
R. B. Tolles and C. E. Grunow
Date: circa 1862
Accessories: Tolles objective marked 4" on case but scratched 1 1/2 on barrel, dated 5/20/1873; Tolles solid ocular 34 mm diameter.
Object number: 1128
Boston Optical Works
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: 1 Tolles objective 1/4 "; 1 ocular 24.5 mm dia.; stage clips; no condensor; diaphragm wheel; single concave substage mirror; no case.
Object number: 1158
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr
Date: circa 1867
Accessories: 3 Tolles oculars (low power, 30.1 mm O.D.; medium power, 30.1 mm O.D., solid front with scale, single eye lens; high power, 24.7 mm O.D., single front, solid eye lens); 1 ocular (without a lens) ; 1 objective (without a lens).
Object number: 1028
Boston Optical Works
Date: circa 1875
Accessories: 1 Ocular; extension tube : "Tolles' Amplifier"; 1 nondescript objective whithout shell; diaphragm wheel but no condensor; concave substage mirror; x-y sliding stage; stage clips.
Object number: 1129
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