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Spencer no. 353 universal microscope lamp
Date: circa 1940
Inventory Number: 2009-1-0072
Classification: Microscope Light Source
Subject:
Maker: Spencer Lens Company (1895 - 1945)
Maker: General Electric Company (1892-present)
User: William Alexander Jackson (1905 - 1964)
User: Houghton Library, Harvard University (founded 1942)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
without cord: 15.5 × 10.5 × 11 cm (6 1/8 × 4 1/8 × 4 5/16 in.)
Accessories: transformer (2009-1-0081)
Bibliography:
Spencer Stereoscopic Microscopes
Description:
This is the model no. 353 Spencer Universal Microscope Lamp, which was designed for use with stereoscopic microscopes. It was variable in brightness.
The lamp has an articulated metal support, which is currently mounted on a weighted, cast iron, triangular base with a crackle finish enamel coating. The adjustable support can be removed from the base and inserted into a socket on a Spencer stereoscopic microscope (as shown in the Spencer catalogue).
The lamp has a cylindrical housing with heat fins. The power cord comes out of the back of the housing and has a special plug to be inserted into the transformer (2009-1-0081). This section of the lamp housing is removable to change the light bulb, which is attached to it. Clear glass or daylight bulbs can be used. They are 2.75 amps, 6.5 volts. At present a clear MAZDA GE bulb is attached. In front of the bulb, there is a three-lens condensing optical system to concentrate light.
The lamp has an articulated metal support, which is currently mounted on a weighted, cast iron, triangular base with a crackle finish enamel coating. The adjustable support can be removed from the base and inserted into a socket on a Spencer stereoscopic microscope (as shown in the Spencer catalogue).
The lamp has a cylindrical housing with heat fins. The power cord comes out of the back of the housing and has a special plug to be inserted into the transformer (2009-1-0081). This section of the lamp housing is removable to change the light bulb, which is attached to it. Clear glass or daylight bulbs can be used. They are 2.75 amps, 6.5 volts. At present a clear MAZDA GE bulb is attached. In front of the bulb, there is a three-lens condensing optical system to concentrate light.
Signedlamp and base are unsigned
printed on light bulb base: GE [logo] / MAZDA / 2.75A 6.5V
stamped on light bulb base: MADE IN U. S. A.
printed on light bulb base: GE [logo] / MAZDA / 2.75A 6.5V
stamped on light bulb base: MADE IN U. S. A.
Historical AttributesUsed by William A. Jackson, first librarian of Houghton Library.
When Houghton Library opened in 1942, Jackson invested in a lot of state-of-the-art equipment for examining books and investigating them. The apparatus included microscopes, black lights, and special lamps. This was one of them.
When Houghton Library opened in 1942, Jackson invested in a lot of state-of-the-art equipment for examining books and investigating them. The apparatus included microscopes, black lights, and special lamps. This was one of them.
Primary SourcesSpencer Lens Company, Spencer Stereoscopic Microscopes (Buffalo, NY: Spencer Lens Company, [1940?]), 17.
ProvenanceWilliam A. Jackson, Librarian, Houghton Library, Harvard University, c. 1942 ; transfer to CHSI courtesy of Dennis Marnon, 2009.