Cambridge rocking microtome
Date1886
Inventory Number1925
ClassificationMicrotome
Subject
Maker
Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company
1881 - 1920
Collector
Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions17.5 × 27.5 × 24.5 cm (6 7/8 × 10 13/16 × 9 5/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis is a rocking microtome. The rectangular main frame stands on four short legs. There are two levers, a specimen holder, and a knife holder. The instrument is operated by a hand lever which drives the ratchet and pulls the tail of the upper lever down, ultimately advancing the specimen holder toward the knife.
Construction is of cast iron with small parts made of brass. The black enamel has severely deteriorated.
Construction is of cast iron with small parts made of brass. The black enamel has severely deteriorated.
Signedon brass plate on main frame: CAMBRIDGE SCIENTIFIC / INSTRUMENT COMPANY / 1886
Curatorial RemarksThe specimen holder was straightened and resoldered in May 1986.
ProvenanceErnst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes, Harvard Medical School
Historical AttributesThe Cambridge Rocking Microtome was introduced in 1885 and took advantage of the new method of paraffin embedding of specimens (introduced in1882). It was able to cut very quickly a ribbon of sections in a way that their order was clearly kept.
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company
Date: 1937-1947
Object number: 1919
R. Pietzsch & Company
Date: circa 1909
Accessories: case; knife
Object number: 1924
Spencer Lens Company
Date: circa 1924
Object number: 1921
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company
Date: 1937-1947
Object number: 1920
Rudolf Jung
Date: circa 1894
Accessories: leatherette covered case (1916b); microtome knife in case (1916c)
Object number: 1916a
