Stirling-type hand microtome with bench clamp
Datecirca 1890
Inventory Number1906
ClassificationMicrotome
Subject
Maker
James W. Queen & Company
1853 - 1893
Collector
Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions9.5 × 13 × 7.9 cm (3 3/4 × 5 1/8 × 3 1/8 in.)
box: 15.2 × 21.3 × 17.3 cm (6 × 8 3/8 × 6 13/16 in.)
box: 15.2 × 21.3 × 17.3 cm (6 × 8 3/8 × 6 13/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis is a hand microtome that can be clamped to a table edge. The instrument is made of brass. The top plate has a C-clamp on the underside of the square end. On top of the round end, there is a circular plate of glass. The center of the glass and brass plate below it is pierced to receive the tubular specimen feeder. The specimen feeder has a micrometer screw on its bottom and a pointer to read the dial. The screw drives up a cup located inside the tube. A slot on the outside of the feeder has a tightening screw that pushes on a hinged brass arm inside the cup. This arm has pins and is used to hold the specimen.
Signedengraved on top: James W. Queen & Co. / Philada.
ProvenanceErnst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes, Harvard Medical School
Historical AttributesThe early file card identifies the design of this microtome as the "Army Medical Museum Pattern." It is very similar to a design of R. & J. Beck of the same era (see CHSI inv. 1905).
Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: case with key
Object number: 1911
Spencer Lens Company
Date: circa 1924
Object number: 1921
Rudolf Jung
Date: circa 1894
Accessories: leatherette covered case (1916b); microtome knife in case (1916c)
Object number: 1916a
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1899
Object number: 1989-0018