Adams's universal compound microscope
Date: circa 1770
Inventory Number: 2002-1-0047
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
Maker: George Adams (I) (1709 - 1772)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
58 x 25 x 28 cm (22 13/16 x 9 13/16 x 11 in.)
case: 10 x 47 x 34 cm (3 15/16 x 18 1/2 x 13 3/8 in.)
Accessories: objective (8); objective (3) with Lieberkühns; eyepiece (2); eye shade; lens to make the stand a simple aquatic microscope; hand lens; insert (7) for stage; insect box; spring clamp (2); narrow ivory slider (11); narrow ebony slider (9); wide wooden slider (6); ivory box (2) for mica covers; specialized tweezer (4); ivory handled dissection tool (3); flexible arm for holding a magnifying lens; small articulated bull's eye to fit on stage; special four-position slider for quick mounting of small specimens; lens of ~45 mm diameter
Bibliography:
The History of the Microscope
Description:
This is the early form of George Adams's universal compound microscope.
The square limb on which is attached the microscope itself is hinged to a round pillar supported by a folding tripod base. The focus is provided by a rack and pinion moving up and down the Bonanni spring stage. On the limb is also attached a substage mirror and an articulated condensor lens (between the mirror and the stage) to provide adequate light on the specimens. The stage will accept spring loaded clamps for slides and a conical stop below. The microscope, which has the eyepiece and objective, is fixed at the top of the limb. The whole instrument can be easily dismantled to fit into a carrying case. The latter is filled with accessories.
The square limb on which is attached the microscope itself is hinged to a round pillar supported by a folding tripod base. The focus is provided by a rack and pinion moving up and down the Bonanni spring stage. On the limb is also attached a substage mirror and an articulated condensor lens (between the mirror and the stage) to provide adequate light on the specimens. The stage will accept spring loaded clamps for slides and a conical stop below. The microscope, which has the eyepiece and objective, is fixed at the top of the limb. The whole instrument can be easily dismantled to fit into a carrying case. The latter is filled with accessories.
In Collection(s)
Signedon stage: ADAMS, LONDON.
FunctionThis microscope was an early form of Adams's universal compound microscope. The large number of accessories provided with the microscope helped any researcher and curious gentleman make all sorts of observations.
Curatorial RemarksTwo items in the case do not fit nor belong to this Adams stand. Their construction and knurling suggest that they were made in a different shop and that they were added to the set to make it appear complete. They are: 1) A spring loaded clamp for small sliders (the original is missing). It does not fit in its apparent place in the case nor does it fit the stage. The original clamp for the large sliders is present. 2) A biconvex lens of unknown purpose in a threaded mount of ~45 mm diameter. For this, a place in the case was made to fit by glueing in two little spacers.