LACQUERED BRASS INSECT MICROSCOPE OR INSECTOSCOPE

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LACQUERED BRASS INSECT MICROSCOPE OR INSECTOSCOPE

c. MIDDLE THIRD of 19th C.

XXXX microscope

XXXX microscope

XXXX microscope

DESCRIPTION:

This insect magnifier of brass and glass, is about 85 mm high and has a diameter of about 47 mm. With a large glass optical element it provides stunning views of the subject inside. The subject, which could be dead and impaled on the spike, or live, is let in my unscrewing the bottom. The pin rests in a slot and is secured as the bottom is screwed back on. The little knurled knob allows the object on the pin to be rotated. The glass sides allow top and side illumination while the glass bottom allows transmitted light illumination also. An identical example can be seen in the Singular Beauty Catalog collection of Ray Giordano and also in the catalog of the Billings Collection in Washington, DC.

HISTORY OF THIS MICROSCOPE

This glass-enclosed insectoscope has sometimes been referred to as a 'Raspail' type. This is a misnomer as the features in common with that instrument are only few. These include the fact that, because it allows light in from the side and bottom, both opaque and transmitted light can be used, and it is cylindrical in shape. The 'Raspail type' cylinder microscope, actually made by Deleuil, had several different features.This instrument was likely made in France or England in the late 19th century, but I have not yet found a catalog reference in the old literature to this exact form.