Zeiss stand I laboratory compound microscope
Date: circa 1886
Inventory Number: 1123a
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
Maker: Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena (1846 - 1904)
Maker: Carl Zeiss (company timeline) (founded 1846)
Inventor: Ernst Abbe (1840 - 1905)
Maker: Charles X. Dalton (1840 - 1912)
Maker: Boston Optical Works (fl. 1867 - 1895)
Owner: Charles Sedgwick Minot (1852 - 1914)
Collector: Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Jena,
City of Use:
Dimensions:
30.2 × 12.8 × 15 cm (11 7/8 × 5 1/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
case: 14.8 × 44.5 × 28 cm (5 13/16 × 17 1/2 × 11 in.)
Accessories: oculars (5): 0, 1,2, 3, 4; objectives (7): AA, A, C, D, E, F, 1/12 Homog. Immers. Apert. 1.20; Abbe condenser; disc diaphragms (6); cup diaphragms (3) with frame; articulated substage mirror; cyllindrical wooden box; key; case. See also Leitz camera lucida in small box (1123b) and stage screw micrometer (1123c).
Description1123a is a Zeiss laboratory compound microscope with stand I. It has a large horse-shoe shaped base and a heavy square brass stage. Nickel stage clips are currently in the box. The coarse adjustment is by rack and pinion; fine focus is by a knob on top of the post. The fine adjustment knob has a divided circle and its finial is marked "1U=0.47." The pointer is attached to the bracket.
The microscope is equipped with both a regular substage mirror and an articulated
substage mirror. The regular mirror is attached to a bracket below the stage, which also holds a condenser and swing out mount for a set of 6 disc diaphragms. The position of the diaphragms on the swing out mount is regulated by rack and pinion.
The case also holds a frame for 3 interchangeable cup diaphragms.
The microscope has a nickel-plated quadruple nosepiece. The case holds 7 objectives in canisters and 5 oculars. The canisters are engraved for the corresponding obectives they hold: AA, A, C, D, E, F, 1/12 Homog. Immers. Apert. 1.20.
The draw tube for the oculars is graduated in centimeters.
Accessories for the microscope also include a stage screw micrometer in a separate mahogany box [1123c] and a camera lucida in a wooden box [1123b]. The latter is stored inside the case; the former is outside the case.
The microscope case is a rugged wooden box with heavy brass latch hooks, a lock and key, and a nickel-plated handle. Nailed to the inside lid is a tradecard of Charles X. Dalton. The card reads: "BOSTON OPTICAL WORKS . . . / CHARLES X. DALTON, / [(] SUCCESSOR TO THE LATE R. B. TOLLES) / MANUFACTURER AND DEALER IN / New and Second-hand / Microscopes, Telescopes, and Accessories. / 40 HANOVER STREET, ROOM 1, / BOSTON. / Prompt and skilful attention given to repairing Telescopes, Microscopes, / Analytical Balances and other Scientific Apparatuses. / A LIST OF TOLLES OBJECTIVES ALWAYS ON HAND."
The microscope is equipped with both a regular substage mirror and an articulated
substage mirror. The regular mirror is attached to a bracket below the stage, which also holds a condenser and swing out mount for a set of 6 disc diaphragms. The position of the diaphragms on the swing out mount is regulated by rack and pinion.
The case also holds a frame for 3 interchangeable cup diaphragms.
The microscope has a nickel-plated quadruple nosepiece. The case holds 7 objectives in canisters and 5 oculars. The canisters are engraved for the corresponding obectives they hold: AA, A, C, D, E, F, 1/12 Homog. Immers. Apert. 1.20.
The draw tube for the oculars is graduated in centimeters.
Accessories for the microscope also include a stage screw micrometer in a separate mahogany box [1123c] and a camera lucida in a wooden box [1123b]. The latter is stored inside the case; the former is outside the case.
The microscope case is a rugged wooden box with heavy brass latch hooks, a lock and key, and a nickel-plated handle. Nailed to the inside lid is a tradecard of Charles X. Dalton. The card reads: "BOSTON OPTICAL WORKS . . . / CHARLES X. DALTON, / [(] SUCCESSOR TO THE LATE R. B. TOLLES) / MANUFACTURER AND DEALER IN / New and Second-hand / Microscopes, Telescopes, and Accessories. / 40 HANOVER STREET, ROOM 1, / BOSTON. / Prompt and skilful attention given to repairing Telescopes, Microscopes, / Analytical Balances and other Scientific Apparatuses. / A LIST OF TOLLES OBJECTIVES ALWAYS ON HAND."
Signedin cursive lettering on tube: Carl Zeiss, / Jena.
in cursive lettering on nosepiece: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
on canisters: C. ZEISS / JENA
on objectives A, D, E: C. ZEISS
on immersion objective: C. ZEISS
on trade card: BOSTON OPTICAL WORKS . . . / CHARLES X. DALTON, / [(] SUCCESSOR TO THE LATE R. B. TOLLES) / . . . . / 40 HANOVER STREET, ROOM 1, / BOSTON.
in cursive lettering on nosepiece: Carl Zeiss, Jena.
on canisters: C. ZEISS / JENA
on objectives A, D, E: C. ZEISS
on immersion objective: C. ZEISS
on trade card: BOSTON OPTICAL WORKS . . . / CHARLES X. DALTON, / [(] SUCCESSOR TO THE LATE R. B. TOLLES) / . . . . / 40 HANOVER STREET, ROOM 1, / BOSTON.
Inscribedon tube: No. 8774
on parts of articulated mirror and its case bracket: 6
blindstamped on case: 8774
scratched on lid for canister of objective E: M III
on parts of articulated mirror and its case bracket: 6
blindstamped on case: 8774
scratched on lid for canister of objective E: M III
Historical AttributesThis microscope was used by Dr. Charles Sedgewick Minot, professor of comparative anatomy at Harvard Medical School. It was his favorite Zeiss. The rectangular stage has been rubbed to a polish where his thumb and finger moved the slide.
This was the approved type of research microscope at Harvard Medical School from around 1880 until 1900.
Santiago Ramón y Cajal, neuroscientist and histologist was photographed with a similar Zeiss microscope in his laboratory at the University of Valencia, Spain, in 1885, around the time when he became interested in the structure of the nervous system. (This photo is in the Cajal Institute, Madrid, Spain.)
This was the approved type of research microscope at Harvard Medical School from around 1880 until 1900.
Santiago Ramón y Cajal, neuroscientist and histologist was photographed with a similar Zeiss microscope in his laboratory at the University of Valencia, Spain, in 1885, around the time when he became interested in the structure of the nervous system. (This photo is in the Cajal Institute, Madrid, Spain.)
Curatorial RemarksErnst-Lewis Collection no. 123. Dr. Lewis notes: "Dr Charles Sedgewick Minot's favorite Zeiss. This was the approved type of research microscope at Harvard for a decade or two (from 1880). Also of this pattern were Zeiss 5908 donated by Dr. Minot to Mr. Alton Makurin and supposed to have been Dr. Quincy's. Dr. Franklin was owner (presumably of another ) of 9005. The quadruple nose-piece (on 8774 [this one]) of later pattern than 8749 (our 1125). Objectives AA, C, D, E, F. Oculars 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (4 and 5 from 9005). Three marked MINOT. He took particular pride in the worn brass areas on blackened stage as evidence of extensive use. However, other instruments show same wear. The rotation of the stage and superstructure upon substage portion is an obvious feature of this pattern."
ProvenanceDr. Charles Sedgewick Minot, Harvard Medical School, Boston, circa 1886; Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (no. 123), Harvard Medical School.