Spencer no. 40 laboratory compound microscope
Date: circa 1908
Inventory Number: 1323
Classification: Microscope
Dimensions:microscope: 29.8 × 15 × 15 cm (11 3/4 × 5 7/8 × 5 7/8 in.)
case: 37.3 × 18.4 × 20 cm (14 11/16 × 7 1/4 × 7 7/8 in.)
Accessories: oculars (2): 4x, 8x; Spencer objectives (3): 16, 4, 1.8 mm; blue filter; dark field stop; booklet; slides (4); box of cover slips; case; key.
DescriptionThis is a Spencer no.40 laboratory compound microscope. It is designed in the continental pattern with a brass arm and a brass monocular body. The body is equipped with a draw tube in a cloth-lined sleeve and a revolving triple nosepiece. The coarse adjustment is by rack and pinion and the fine focus is by a vertical screw. The focus knobs are brass. A heavy curved spring located beneath the arm enables the instrument to be lifted without straining the fine focus mechanism.
There is a mechanical stage with a vulcanite surface. The clamp on the stage is manufactured by American Optical Co. (successor to Spencer). The substage apparatus includes a condenser on a swing out mount with an iris diaphragm, a filter holder, and a mirror on a swinging tail piece.
The instrument is supported by a cast iron u-shaped base. The entire stand is inclinable.
A standing wooden case accompanies this instrument. Additional accessories include: a pair of nickel-plated stage clips; a Bausch & Lomb cardboard box of cover glasses; a set of blood pipettes in a cardboard box; four slides with blood smears (dated 1919); and a blank subscription form of the Liberty Loan Committee of Syracuse for 1918 [see early file card for further information].
Signedon foot: Spencer Microscope
on foot: ALOE CO. Sales Agents
on mechanical stage: AO [in shield] / SPENCER
on nosepiece: SPENCER LENS CO.
on objectives: SPENCER LENS CO.
on canisters: SPENCER OBJECTIVE / ALOE CO. / SALES AGENTS
on key: S / L [each in its own circle]
embossed on lid of box of cover slips: B-L / Z / S [in prism]
on label of box of cover slips: BAUSCH & LOMB / ROCHESTER N. Y.
Inscribedon foot: No. 24155
Historical AttributesThis instrument was owned by Dr. F. William Marlow, an internist at the Harvard Medical School and resident of Brookline, MA.
Provenancegift by Dr. WIlliam Marlow, Brookline, MA to Countway Library, Harvard Medical School, 1985