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SMALL IVORY STANHOPE MICROSCOPE:

c. FIRST THIRD of 19th CENTURY

DESCRIPTION HISTORY

small ivory stanhope magnifier

 

DESCRIPTION

This tiny magnifier is made of ivory. It is unsigned and bears no hallmark. There are three lines scribed around the lens housing. It is 45 mm in length. The lens, of about 8 mm diameter, functions only with the round side of the lens on the side of the subject and very close to it. The magnification is relatively high, and therefore the instrument is difficult to use as it must be held steady.

HISTORY OF THIS STANHOPE MICROSCOPE

The Stanhope lens is a simple one-piece microscope lens of cylindrical shape, with curved ends, often with one end more convex than the other. The focal length is such that the more convex side must be placed in contact with, or nearly in contact with the object being studied. It is an inexpensive way to produce a moderately high power single lens and forms the basis of some of the commonest moderate power antique magnifiers such as the 'Microscope-Floroscope'. It is said that Stanhopes were invented by the scientist Charles, the third Earl of Stanhope(1753-1816).

Rene´ Dagron modified these magnifiers in 1857 and used them to display microphotographs, these little amusement devices being commonly referred to as 'Stanhopes'. They were a considerable advance for the purpose, as prior to this microphotographs required a bulky microscope for viewing. Some of these Stanhopes were of ivory and in the shape of little 'telescopes' and others incorporated into various kinds of jewelry. This was a highly successful business in the 19th century and at one time Dagron's factory was said to be producing more than ten thousand units a day! His business was continued by his successors using Dagron's methods clear into 1972! It is ironic that Henry West, Francis' son, produced microphotographs, though apparently only on slides.