Zeiss no. 44 Abbe-type microscope camera lucida
Date: circa 1886
Inventory Number: 1084c
Classification: Camera Lucida
Subject:
Maker: Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena (1846 - 1904)
Maker: Carl Zeiss (company timeline) (founded 1846)
Inventor: Ernst Abbe (1840 - 1905)
Owner: Rupert Norton (1867 - 1914)
Donor: James Lincoln Huntington (1880 - 1968)
Collector: Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Dimensions:
camera lucida: 4 x 14 x 6 cm (1 9/16 x 5 1/2 x 2 3/8 in.)
case: 5.5 x 15.8 x 7.8 cm (2 3/16 x 6 1/4 x 3 1/16 in.)
Accessories:
DescriptionThe microscope (1084a) is accompanied by an Abbe drawing apparatus in a separate box (1084c) marked "ZEICHENAPPARAT / NACH ABBE." The box is covered in pebbled red leather and lined in deep blue velvet.
The drawing apparatus is the standard Abbe-type of camera lucida (listed in the Zeiss catalogue as model 44). It has a large plane mirror that reflects light back to a silvered prism in an eyepiece. This prism is cemented to another prism to form a cube. Rays of light reach the eye from both the microscope specimen and the drawing paper together.
There are two smoked glasses to regulate the brightness of the drawing surface.
The apparatus is attached to a swing-back mount hinged to a clamping ring that is screwed to the top of the optical tube.
A steel and brass wrench with an ebony handle is included in the case. It consists of a steel pin held perpendicular between the jaws of the split wrench post. The jaws are tightened by a brass slider on the post. The pin is to be inserted in the heads of the tightening screws on the clamping collar.
The drawing apparatus is the standard Abbe-type of camera lucida (listed in the Zeiss catalogue as model 44). It has a large plane mirror that reflects light back to a silvered prism in an eyepiece. This prism is cemented to another prism to form a cube. Rays of light reach the eye from both the microscope specimen and the drawing paper together.
There are two smoked glasses to regulate the brightness of the drawing surface.
The apparatus is attached to a swing-back mount hinged to a clamping ring that is screwed to the top of the optical tube.
A steel and brass wrench with an ebony handle is included in the case. It consists of a steel pin held perpendicular between the jaws of the split wrench post. The jaws are tightened by a brass slider on the post. The pin is to be inserted in the heads of the tightening screws on the clamping collar.
Signedengraved in cursive letters on the rear of the mirror: Carl Zeiss, Jena
stamped in gold on top of box: C. ZEISS JENA
stamped in gold on top of box: C. ZEISS JENA
Inscribedon camera lucida case: ZEICHENAPPARAT / NACH ABBE
Historical AttributesThis microscope was owned by Dr. Rupert Norton and likely came to the Harvard Medical School after his death in 1914.
Curatorial RemarksThe former inventory number at medical school was T.21. Dr. Lewis did not catalogue it but retained it as a loan for classroom work.
ProvenanceDr. Rupert Norton, Baltimore, before 1914; Dr. James Lincoln Huntington, Boston; gift to Ernst-Lewis Collection of microscopes (inv. no. T.21), Harvard Medical School.