Tolles student-type compound microscope
Dateafter 1877
Inventory Number1131
ClassificationMicroscope
Subject
Maker
Robert B. Tolles
1823 - 1883
Maker
Boston Optical Works
fl. 1867 - 1895
Supplier
Charles Stodder
fl. 1850 - 1880
Owner
Bussey Institution
1871 - 1936
User
Peabody Museum of Salem
1799-1992
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionsmicroscope: 37 × 14.4 × 19.5 cm (14 9/16 × 5 11/16 × 7 11/16 in.)
case: 44.5 × 26.1 × 18.5 cm (17 1/2 × 10 1/4 × 7 5/16 in.)
case: 44.5 × 26.1 × 18.5 cm (17 1/2 × 10 1/4 × 7 5/16 in.)
Material
Accessories3 Tolles objectives: 1/4 with collar, no date; 1/2 "TOLLES, BOSTON, dated 1877, cap instead of can; 2" (unusual) in can; 2 anonymous 24.5mm dia. oculars; single substage mirror; stage clips; double mirror on stand; standing case with key.
Bibliography
DescriptionNickel plated sliding tube for coarse focus. Spring loaded stage top with screw for fine focus.
This is the "Student's Microscope" as shown in Boston Optical Works / Charles Stodder catalogues for 1871 and 1873 (see file for 1045). CHSI inventory numbers 1129, 1130, 1131, 1286, 1294, 1338 are all "Student's Microscopes."
E. Gay reported that the "2 inch objective appears to be solid, at least very thick, and may be an early flat field design."
There is a trade card for Charles Stodder, Boston on the bottom of the case.
This is the "Student's Microscope" as shown in Boston Optical Works / Charles Stodder catalogues for 1871 and 1873 (see file for 1045). CHSI inventory numbers 1129, 1130, 1131, 1286, 1294, 1338 are all "Student's Microscopes."
E. Gay reported that the "2 inch objective appears to be solid, at least very thick, and may be an early flat field design."
There is a trade card for Charles Stodder, Boston on the bottom of the case.
In Collection(s)
SignedEngraved on sleeve for tube: TOLLES-BOSTON
Inscribedon underside of stage and hinge shaft: 343
ProvenanceBussey Institution, pre-1917; loaned to Peabody Museum, Salem, 1917;
Historical AttributesAccording to an old tag tied to the stand, this Tolles student's microscope was "Loaned by Bussey Institution Sept. 1917" to the Peabody Museum, Salem.
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
Robert B. Tolles
Date: circa 1880
Accessories: Tolles ocular, 24.5 mm dia.; Tolles 1/4" objective; no condensor; diaphragm wheel; concave/flat substage mirror; standing walnut case.
Object number: 1294
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
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: 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
Spencer Lens Company
Date: circa 1875
Accessories: objectives (6): Tolles 8/10 " dated 5/1/1863, 2 marked Spencer on can, 1 European shape "5", 2 other; oculars (2); polarizer set; box of general subjects slides; substage mirror; magnifier; case
Object number: 1159
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
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: 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
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
R. B. Tolles and C. E. Grunow
Date: circa 1860
Accessories: No objective; 1 medium power solid Tolles ocular of 34 mm dia., marked: "Pat'd. Sept. 25 1855." ; no condenser or diaphragm; single small concave substage mirror.
Object number: 1137