microscope optics in case
Date: circa 1899
Inventory Number: 1997-1-1873
Classification: Microscope Optics
Subject:
Maker: Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena (1846 - 1904)
Maker: Carl Zeiss (company timeline) (founded 1846)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Jena,
Dimensions:
case: 9.7 × 33.5 × 7 cm (3 13/16 × 13 3/16 × 2 3/4 in.)
Accessories: case
DescriptionThis is a set of microscope optics and related acessories stored in a velvet-lined wooden case for a Zeiss stand Ic microscope. The case holds a set of twelve objective slides, one with a vertical illuminator. These are stored on a dovetail rack that is attached to the inside of the case.
Also present in the case are three apochromats (4mm Apert. 0.95; 8mm Apert. 0.85; 16 mm Apert. 0.30), one plankton finder, and three water immersion objectives (AA, a2, D*). These are stored in their matching brass canisters. There is a also an extra empty brass canister for objective a*, which is missing.
There are a total of eight oculars. Five of these are compensating oculars (2, 4, 6, 6, 18), one is a micrometer eyepiece, and two are regular oculars (3, 5).
Other accessories include two tube slides, four eyepiece micrometers in turned ivory cases, and one triple nosepiece.
The case also holds a small red leather case that is stamped, "KREUZTISCH-ZENTRIERGLAS." This case is presently empty. It held a stage centering glass.
These accessories belong with microscopy accessories 1997-1-1931a and 1997-1-1931b.
Also present in the case are three apochromats (4mm Apert. 0.95; 8mm Apert. 0.85; 16 mm Apert. 0.30), one plankton finder, and three water immersion objectives (AA, a2, D*). These are stored in their matching brass canisters. There is a also an extra empty brass canister for objective a*, which is missing.
There are a total of eight oculars. Five of these are compensating oculars (2, 4, 6, 6, 18), one is a micrometer eyepiece, and two are regular oculars (3, 5).
Other accessories include two tube slides, four eyepiece micrometers in turned ivory cases, and one triple nosepiece.
The case also holds a small red leather case that is stamped, "KREUZTISCH-ZENTRIERGLAS." This case is presently empty. It held a stage centering glass.
These accessories belong with microscopy accessories 1997-1-1931a and 1997-1-1931b.
Signedengraved on vertical illuminator: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
engraved on objectives: CARL ZEISS / JENA {in achromat trademark]
engraved on canisters for objectives AA, A2, D*, and plankton finder:
CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on canisters for apochromats 6mm and 16mm: Carl Zeiss, Jena
engraved in cursive on canister for apochromat 4 mm: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
engraved on empty canister a*: C. ZEISS / JENA
engraved on micrometer ocular 3 and compensating ocular 5: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on compensating ocular 6: Germany
engraved on oculars 5, 3, and compensating oculars 2, 4, 18: Carl Zeiss, Jena
engraved on tube slides: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
stamped on small case: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on triple nosepiece: ZEISS / JENA
engraved on objectives: CARL ZEISS / JENA {in achromat trademark]
engraved on canisters for objectives AA, A2, D*, and plankton finder:
CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on canisters for apochromats 6mm and 16mm: Carl Zeiss, Jena
engraved in cursive on canister for apochromat 4 mm: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
engraved on empty canister a*: C. ZEISS / JENA
engraved on micrometer ocular 3 and compensating ocular 5: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on compensating ocular 6: Germany
engraved on oculars 5, 3, and compensating oculars 2, 4, 18: Carl Zeiss, Jena
engraved on tube slides: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
stamped on small case: CARL ZEISS / JENA [in achromat trademark]
engraved on triple nosepiece: ZEISS / JENA
Inscribedstamped on small case: KREUZTISCH-ZENTRIERGLAS
FunctionThis instrument was probably used for nature studies.
Historical AttributesThis case of accessories accompanied the Zeiss stand Ic compound microscope owned by Mr. Arthur Fitch Benson of Salem, MA. He was born in 1869 and was a younger brother of the American artist, Frank Weston Benson (1862-1951), also from Salem.
The microscope and accessories were passed down in the Benson family to Arthur's niece, Sylvia Benson (b. 1898), who was the artist's daughter. She is pictured (standing) in an impressionistic oil painting made in North Haven, Maine in 1909 by Benson, entitled "Summer." The painting is at the Museum of Art of the Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence, RI.
In June 1971, the microscope was stolen from the family, but the case and accessories were not. On May 2, 1972, the remains were given to CHSI by Sylvia Benson (Mrs. Ralph Lawson).
The microscope and accessories were passed down in the Benson family to Arthur's niece, Sylvia Benson (b. 1898), who was the artist's daughter. She is pictured (standing) in an impressionistic oil painting made in North Haven, Maine in 1909 by Benson, entitled "Summer." The painting is at the Museum of Art of the Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence, RI.
In June 1971, the microscope was stolen from the family, but the case and accessories were not. On May 2, 1972, the remains were given to CHSI by Sylvia Benson (Mrs. Ralph Lawson).
ProvenanceArthur Fitch Benson of Salem, MA; gift to niece, Silvia Benson (Mrs. Ralph Lawson), the daughter of the artist, Frank W. Benson (1862-1951), before 1971; gift to CHSI, 1972.