Adams's universal compound microscope
Date: 1820
Inventory Number: 1002
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
Maker: Benjamin Wood (fl. 1810 - 1832)
Collector: Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
packed in box: 9 x 53 x 27.5 cm (3 9/16 x 20 7/8 x 10 13/16 in.)
microscope height: 51 cm (20 1/16 in.)
Accessories: 10 objectives, numbered 1-10 (caps on 1 and 2); 4 objectives with lieberkuhns (one lens missing); 2 oculars; 3 simple lenses in eye cups; diaphragm cone; live box; spring stage; three-wing stage; double-convex lens on rod; simple-lens carrier on an arm; ivory black/white disk; 1 ivory disk with cork; 3 flat glass disks of differing sizes; 1 large glass disk in threaded brass rim; 1 watch glass; 3 large glass, magnifying lenses, one tinted green; 2 small magnifying glasses; stage condensor; fish plate; 2 stage forceps; 1 stage 3-pronged gripper; tweezers; 3 ivory handled knives for preparations; 10 small and 3 medium ivory slides of transparent specimens; 3 ivory slides of opaque specimens; 3 boxwood slides of transparent specimens; 1 brass wet-cell slide with 4 apertures for preparations; 2 cylindrical ivory boxes with mica cover slips and snap rings; wrench; chamois; flat case with sockets for the above; key.
DescriptionThis is a brass universal compound microscope in the style of George Adams's "universal compound microscope." It was sold by Benjamin Wood of Liverpool.
The eyepiece tube for interchangeable oculars is tapered at lower end, which screws into an arm attached to the top of long square post. The arm has a rack and pinion. The rectangular post is connected to round pillar by a hinged joint. The post carries sliders holding the mirror, substage condensor, and a stage with rack and pinion focusing. Objectives are screwed into the arm on a smaller thread than tube. The instrument almost complete with a large set of original accessories, including ivory and wooden slides holding transparent and opaque specimens.
The mahogany box is lined in places with green wool flannel cloth. A trade card is glued in the lid. The right hand side of the box has a lift out tray with turned ivory knobs. The case key (made of iron) is stored underneath along with a chamois and a fragile, worm-eaten manuscript in brown ink describing the use of the microscope and signed, "B. Wood."
Also found in the case and now held between glass plates are an invoice and a list of specimens.
"A List of the Objects, Transparent & Opaque" itemizes all the specimens on each of the 25 slides sold with the microscope. Twenty slides are still in the case.
The eyepiece tube for interchangeable oculars is tapered at lower end, which screws into an arm attached to the top of long square post. The arm has a rack and pinion. The rectangular post is connected to round pillar by a hinged joint. The post carries sliders holding the mirror, substage condensor, and a stage with rack and pinion focusing. Objectives are screwed into the arm on a smaller thread than tube. The instrument almost complete with a large set of original accessories, including ivory and wooden slides holding transparent and opaque specimens.
The mahogany box is lined in places with green wool flannel cloth. A trade card is glued in the lid. The right hand side of the box has a lift out tray with turned ivory knobs. The case key (made of iron) is stored underneath along with a chamois and a fragile, worm-eaten manuscript in brown ink describing the use of the microscope and signed, "B. Wood."
Also found in the case and now held between glass plates are an invoice and a list of specimens.
"A List of the Objects, Transparent & Opaque" itemizes all the specimens on each of the 25 slides sold with the microscope. Twenty slides are still in the case.
Signedon stand: B. Wood, Liverpool
trade card in case: Benjamin Wood / ... / Liverpool
on manuscript instructions: B Wood
trade card in case: Benjamin Wood / ... / Liverpool
on manuscript instructions: B Wood
Inscribedtrade card in case: Benjamin Wood's / Manufactory / FOR MATHEMATICAL OPTICAL, & NAUTICAL / IINSTRUMENTS, / No. 51. Wapping, / Near the Queens Dock / Liverpool / Charts for all Parts of the World, Instruments Cleaned & Repaird, Chronometers Rated.
Historical AttributesThe invoice included with this instrument is dated Liverpool, August 5, 1820 and is addressed to a Captain Charles Jayne for two dozen slides had from Benjamin Wood for £3.1.0. On the reverse of the page is a receipt dated October 31, 1820, showing that Jayne delivered the slides to a Mr. Samuel Evans of Savannah along with the balance of £3.5.0 not expended. This suggests that Evans commissioned Captain Jayne to get him the slides in Liverpool.
The manuscript instructions on the use of the microscope, signed by Benjamin Wood, refer to the new edition of George Adams's Essays on the Microscope, 1798.
The manuscript instructions on the use of the microscope, signed by Benjamin Wood, refer to the new edition of George Adams's Essays on the Microscope, 1798.
Primary SourcesGeorge Adams, Essays on the Microscope, 2nd ed. (London: W. & S. Jones, 1798).
Provenancepurchased by Samuel Evans, Savannah, April 27, 1820; whereabouts unknown; Charles Morse, Newton, MA; gift of the widow, Mrs. Charles Morse, Newton, MA; gift to Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 4), Harvard Medical School, 1902.
Published ReferencesA.D. Morrison-Low, Making Scientific Instruments in the Industrial Revolution (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2007), p. 101.