microtome knife

Date1880

Inventory Number1916c

ClassificationMicrotome Knife

Subject

Maker Wilhelm Walb fl. 1842 - 1880

Owner William Morton Wheeler 1865 - 1937

User Bussey Institution 1871 - 1936

User Museum of Comparative Zoology founded 1859

Cultural Region

Place of Origin

Place of Use

Dimensionsmicrotome: 3.1 × 0.7 × 15.4 cm (1 1/4 × 1/4 × 6 1/16 in.)
case: 5.4 × 18 × 5.9 cm (2 1/8 × 7 1/16 × 2 5/16 in.)

Material

Accessoriescase

DescriptionThis microtome knife has a rectangular blade and short rod for a handle. It is in the style of Jung.

The knife's case is lined in burgundy velvet and silk and covered in black buckram. It can hold two knives although only one is present.

A small piece of paper is glued on its lid and mentions "W M / Wheeler," the instrument owner.

It is an accessory to the Jung microtome (inv. 1916a).

In Collection(s)

Exhibit 2008--The Matter of Fact

Signedinside knife case: Wilhelm Walb / Heidelberg / Hauptstrasse 5

Inscribedon label on case: W M / Wheeler

Curatorial RemarksAccording to the business records of Jung, this microtome was manufactured in 1894 and was sent to Zeiss, Jena, before being bought by William Wheeler. (See card's image.) Though unspecified here, this information could have come from the serial number found on the instrument (2521).

FunctionA microtome is used to slice extremely thin specimen samples so they could be dyed and then studied under a microscope.

ProvenanceWilliam Morton Wheeler, Bussey Institution, Harvard University; later, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; transfer to CHSI, 1985.

Historical AttributesOwned by Professor William Morton Wheeler (1865-1937), dean of the Bussey Institution from 1915. (see old file card for more information).