B&L no. 520 compound microscope
Date: circa 1889
Inventory Number: 1124
Classification: Microscope
Dimensions:unassembled microscope: 26.5 × 14.7 × 18 cm (10 7/16 × 5 13/16 × 7 1/16 in.)
case: 34 × 21.4 × 16.5 cm (13 3/8 × 8 7/16 × 6 1/2 in.)
box: 33 × 23.8 × 18.4 cm (13 × 9 3/8 × 7 1/4 in.)
Accessories: objectives (4); ocular; standing case; key
Bibliography:Microscope Catalogue
DescriptionThis is a Bausch & Lomb compound microscope, model no. 520. It has a Y-shaped base with two slightly conical pillars ascending to the hinge join. The base and pillars are of black enameled cast iron. The body tube is made out of brass and is attached to a curved arm of black enameled cast iron. A micrometer screw located at the top of the arm is the fine focus. The coarse focus is by rack and pinion. A triple nosepiece is attached to the body.
There is a round, revolving brass stage with two nickel stage clips. A revolving wheel diaphragm and a double mirror on a swinging arm are located below the stage. Both are framed of hard rubber. The diaphragm is removable.
This microscope comes with a standing mahogany case with a door on the wide side and a brass handle on top. The case is numbered 1342. It has a steel key (stored in the parts drawer).
Accompanying accessories include: two objectives, 2/3 and 1/8 [from parts box of CHSI 1044], an oil immersion objective, 1.9 mm [from CHSI 1058], and one ocular [from CHSI 1057]. All are signed by B&L.
In a parts drawer in the case, there are three empty canisters for 1/8, 1/4, and 3 inch objectives [from CHSI 1149]. There is a 1/5 objective [from CHSI 1037]. All are signed by B&L. An old tag describes the how Oliver Wendell Holmes gave the microscope to the Warren Museum in 1888.
Signedon tube: BAUSCH & LOMB OPTICAL CO. / ROCHESTER, N. Y.
Inscribedon case: 1342
Historical AttributesErnst-Lewis collection (former number 124). Note by Dr. Lewis: "'Presented by Dr. W. O. Holmes Nov 15, 1888' to the Warren Museum. No condenser, objective, or eyepiece."
Primary SourcesBausch & Lomb Optical Co., Microscope Catalogue (Rochester, NY: Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., 1889), 16-17.
ProvenanceDr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, before 1888; gift to the Warren Anatomical Museum, 1888; Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 124), Harvard Medical School