horizontal universal achromatic compound microscope
Date: circa 1840
Inventory Number: 1093
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
Maker: Charles-Louis Chevalier (1804 - 1859)
Owner: Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809 - 1894)
User: Warren Anatomical Museum (founded 1847)
Collector: Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
microscope on case: 32.6 x 33 x 24.1 cm (12 13/16 x 13 x 9 1/2 in.)
case: 8.9 x 33 x 24.1 cm (3 1/2 x 13 x 9 1/2 in.)
Accessories: 2 regular objectives; a high power objective; a low power objective (a variable power dissecting lens) with an extension arm for this lens; 2 dissecting lenses; 1 objective with lieberkuhn; objective with polarizer; 2 regular eyepieces; 1 erecting eyepiece; 1 micrometer eyepiece; stage micrometer, stage bull's eye condenser on jointed arm; camera lucida; tweezers; 3 dissecting tools; pillar extension;
compressorium, 2 objective adaptive mounts (one with Chevalier threads, another with Oberhauser threads); 2 adaptors for Chevalier lenses to other microscopes (one adaptor having Society threads); case.
DescriptionThis microscope is a medium universal stand for horizontal, vertical, and tilted use of the microscope. It can also be used for inverted or "chemical" operation with the stage above the objective. This instrument is similar to CHSI 1079, but has more extensive accessories.
A round pillar screws into the top of the large flat case. The pillar has a compass joint at the top which carries a short bracket to which is hinged the tube of the microscope. The microscope body can be set horizontally or vertically. The microscope optical tube has interchangeable nosepieces: one straight and the other right-angled with 90 degree prism. The draw tube has a cardboard liner. The regular body tube can be removed and replaced with a fitting to hold simple lenses for use of the microscope for dissections.
A square column is fixed to the short bracket and has a rack on which the pinions for the stage and substage mirror operate. Coarse focus is by the rack-and-pinion motion of the stage. Fine focus is by a vertical screw acting on a bracket for the stage plate. The stage is removable and can be placed on an extension rod. There is a substage diaphragm wheel.
Standard accessories with the microscope include 2 objectives, 2 dissecting lenses, 2 eyepieces, stage micrometer, stage bull's eye condenser on jointed arm, camera lucida, tweezers, 3 dissecting tools, and a pillar extension.
Accessories specially ordered by Oliver Wendell Holmes include a high power objective, a low power objective (a variable power dissecting lens), an extension arm for this lens with lock pins, objective with lieberkuhn, erecting eyepiece, micrometer eyepiece, objective with polarizer, compressorium, 2 objective mounts (one with Chevalier threads, another with Oberhauser threads), 2 adaptors for Chevalier lenses to other microscopes (one adaptor having Society threads).
A round pillar screws into the top of the large flat case. The pillar has a compass joint at the top which carries a short bracket to which is hinged the tube of the microscope. The microscope body can be set horizontally or vertically. The microscope optical tube has interchangeable nosepieces: one straight and the other right-angled with 90 degree prism. The draw tube has a cardboard liner. The regular body tube can be removed and replaced with a fitting to hold simple lenses for use of the microscope for dissections.
A square column is fixed to the short bracket and has a rack on which the pinions for the stage and substage mirror operate. Coarse focus is by the rack-and-pinion motion of the stage. Fine focus is by a vertical screw acting on a bracket for the stage plate. The stage is removable and can be placed on an extension rod. There is a substage diaphragm wheel.
Standard accessories with the microscope include 2 objectives, 2 dissecting lenses, 2 eyepieces, stage micrometer, stage bull's eye condenser on jointed arm, camera lucida, tweezers, 3 dissecting tools, and a pillar extension.
Accessories specially ordered by Oliver Wendell Holmes include a high power objective, a low power objective (a variable power dissecting lens), an extension arm for this lens with lock pins, objective with lieberkuhn, erecting eyepiece, micrometer eyepiece, objective with polarizer, compressorium, 2 objective mounts (one with Chevalier threads, another with Oberhauser threads), 2 adaptors for Chevalier lenses to other microscopes (one adaptor having Society threads).
SignedCharles Chevalier, Ingénieur, / Opticien, Palais Royal 163 Paris
InscribedStamped on sleeves for mirror and stage: 2
In script on tube: Microscope Achromatique Universel / de Charles Chevalier, Ingénieur, / Opticien, Palais Royal 163 Paris
In script on tube: Microscope Achromatique Universel / de Charles Chevalier, Ingénieur, / Opticien, Palais Royal 163 Paris
Historical AttributesDr. Oliver Wendell Holmes ordered this microscope from Chevalier in the 1840s and used it until 1888, when he presented it to the Warren Anatomical Museum. The microscope has many unusual accessories purchased by Holmes.
Holmes found the microscope troublesome at times even as he got much "comfort and edification" out of it. See the file card for his funny comments published in 1877 in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.
Holmes found the microscope troublesome at times even as he got much "comfort and edification" out of it. See the file card for his funny comments published in 1877 in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.
Primary SourcesArthur Chevalier, L'Etudiant Micrographe (Paris, 1865), 99, fig. 84; 133, fig 95; 135, fig. 96.
ProvenanceDr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Harvard Medical School, c. 1840s; gift to Warren Anatomical Museum, 1888; gift to Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes, Harvard Medical School.