FRENCH SIMPLE CYLINDER MICROSCOPE
MODEL: 'BOTANICAL MICROSCOPE WITH ILLUMINATING MIRROR' or 'THE NATURALIST'S MICROSCOPE'
? c. 1883 through 2ndQUARTER 20th C.
SIGNED: 'MADE IN FRANCE **' on the black higher power eyepiece
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DESCRIPTION:
This miniature simple microscope is 41 mm in greatest diameter at the bottom and 63.5 mm high. It employs a simplistic Stanhope lens which is flat at the bottom and curved on top that is in focus when the bottom part is very close to, or even touching the subject. This is quite similar to many other French made microscopes sold during the late 1800's and into the 2nd quarter of the twentieth century. A slide is introduced into the slit from the side, and the knurled ring is turned to move the slide up towards the lens which needs to touch or nearly touch the object to be in focus. The mirror can be used to direct transmitted light, but there is a hole in the bottom so light can shin in that way if a dry specimen is present and it is held up to a light source. The eyepiece may be focused by pushing or pulling it in and out of the barrel. Another similar microscope in this collection is not signed, is very slightly shorter, and has an eyepiece that can be screw focused.
HISTORY OF THIS MICROSCOPE
Examples of this microscope are often attributed to the 3rd quarter of the nineteenth century, but in fact, this instrument was sold much later than that. It was advertised in the 'Youth's Companion' of 1883 and another catalog entry of 1903. The illustration to the left shows this instrument and the catalog entry from Kahn & Son shown to the left is circa 1900. Furthermore its labeling 'MADE IN FRANCE' suggests that this particular example was sold no earlier than March of 1891 when this was required by law. Unlike the earlier 'Microscope or Floroscope,' which usually has a low power loupe and a higher power Stanhope, this type only has one higher power Stanhope lens. Examples do exist of a similar microscope which does have a lower power loupe fitting into the other end.
