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  • Spencer no. 2 binocular laboratory compound microscope
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Spencer no. 2 binocular laboratory compound microscope

  • Images (8)

Spencer no. 2 binocular laboratory compound microscope

Date: circa 1920
Inventory Number: 1313
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
optics, biology, microscopy,
Maker: Spencer Lens Company (1895 - 1945)
Inventor: Ernst Abbe (1840 - 1905)
Cultural Region:
United States,
Place of Origin:
Buffalo,
Dimensions:
31 x 17 x 11 cm (12 3/16 x 6 11/16 x 4 5/16 in.)
Material:
glass, vulcanite, brass,
Accessories: oculars (2): 10x, "planoscopic"; triple nosepiece; Spencer objectives (3):16mm, 4mm, 1.8mm; Abbe condenser
Bibliography:
Spencer New Microscopes, with Binocular Body and Single Tube Interchange
Description:
This is a Spencer no. 2 binocular compound microscope. It has a blackened horseshoe-shaped base and a curved arm. The binocular body is interchangeable and attaches to a sliding block, which also holds a nickel-plated three-objective revolving nosepiece. The binocular eyepieces are slightly inclined. Knurled rings located on both the left and right ocular tubes provide pupillary adjustment. The coarse focus is by rack and pinion. The fine focus is by a knob located on the arm. The focus knobs are red brass as is the strip on the arm.

This microscope is equipped with a rectangular stage with a vulcanite surface. The stage clips are missing. The substage apparatus is in two parts. The top section consists of an Abbe condenser with an iris diaphragm on a centering mount. The lower section comprises a second iris diaphragm and a ring for filters on a rack mount. The substage mirror is attached to a slider that travels on a separate frame.
Signedon binocular body: SPENCER / BUFFALO / U.S.A. [in trademark]
Inscribedon body: 56047
Historical AttributesThis instrument was used in the Biology Laboratory, Science Center, Harvard University.
Primary SourcesSpencer Lens Company, Spencer New Microscopes, with Binocular Body and Single Tube Interchange (Buffalo, NY: Spencer Lens Company, 1922).
ProvenanceFrom the Biology Prep Room, Science Center, Harvard University, 1983

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