illumination device
Datecirca 1900
Inventory Number1996-1-0058
ClassificationLighting
Subject
Maker
American
?
Maker
English
?
User
Bowdoin College, Department of Physics
?
founded after 1794
Cultural Region
Place of Use
Dimensions4 × 8 × 3 cm (1 9/16 × 3 1/8 × 1 3/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionThe main body of the illumination device is two detachable cylinders, one containing the light fixture, the other being the cap that goes over it. The cap is made of brass and has a larger diameter. At one end is a black dome with holes punched through. A short cylindrical brass extension with a dark metal-framed glass window at the end emerges from the side of this cylinder. At the other end the cap has a thumb screw on either side to hold the two cylinders together when tightened.
The cylinder that includes the fixture is made of an insulating material, the side that goes under the cap containing the light attachment. that side telescopes outward in order to connect with the larger main cylinder. Outside near the bottom are the two brass binding posts, for connection to an electrical source. The bottom of this cylinder has a brass cap with a track cut along the inside diameter, with a thumb screw in the center of the top. This may have enabled users to attach the light to another instrument by loosening the thumb screw and sliding another instrument's arm through the track.
The cylinder that includes the fixture is made of an insulating material, the side that goes under the cap containing the light attachment. that side telescopes outward in order to connect with the larger main cylinder. Outside near the bottom are the two brass binding posts, for connection to an electrical source. The bottom of this cylinder has a brass cap with a track cut along the inside diameter, with a thumb screw in the center of the top. This may have enabled users to attach the light to another instrument by loosening the thumb screw and sliding another instrument's arm through the track.
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksNot marked. Possibly American. c. 1900 (?).
FunctionPossibly used for lighting the scale of a nautical instrument.
ProvenanceCourtesy of Prof. Elroy LaCasce. Collected on May 14, 1991 from the Physics Dept., Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME.
Fabre et Cie
Date: circa 1856
Object number: 5468
Hammond Typewriter Company
Date: circa 1923
Accessories: four Hammond type shuttles for different type faces, each with a wooden storage box; four laminated paper rectangles with symbol placement guide; instruction book, instruction sheets, advertisements, and correspondence (in object file)
Object number: 1996-1-0373
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: circa 1937
Accessories: standard eyepieces (3): 8X P, Periplan. OK 10X, and Periplan. Ok. 25X; wide eyepieces (3): 1, 1, 8X, 10X; objectives (4) in fitted case: 1b 4.3X, 3 10X, P7 62X, P 1/12 oel; waveplates (2); condenser with polarizer; mechanical stage; loupe 6x; box of cover glasses; standing case; key; objective adaptors (4); and watch keys (2)
Object number: 1999-1-0020a
Walter Balcke
Date: 1955
Accessories: mahogany box with plexiglass lid; pencil; eraser; box of lead; putty ball; cleaning cloth; cardboard instruction card
Object number: 1997-1-1619
