pocket botanical and universal microscope
Date: 1789
Inventory Number: 1001
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
Maker: George Adams (II) (English, 1750 - 1795)
Maker: W. & S. Jones (fl. 1791 - 1859)
Owner: John Jeffries (1745 - 1819)
Collector: Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
microscope: 10.2 × 4.5 × 6.3 cm (4 × 1 3/4 × 2 1/2 in.)
case: 3.6 × 11 × 8.9 cm (1 7/16 × 4 5/16 × 3 1/2 in.)
box: 2.5 × 12.1 × 10.2 cm (1 × 4 3/4 × 4 in.)
Accessories: 3 magnifiers attached on arms; 1 Lieberkühn (lens missing); 1 high power lens; Insect box with 2 glass covers; stage forceps; 2 ivory slides; box.
Description:
This simple microscope is a pocket botanical and universal microscope by George Adams with additions by William and Samuel Jones.
Three small magnifiers are set in brass rings on short arms on a larger ring attached to the top of a square bar that forms the post. A ring stage slides on the post with a fine adjustment screw and clamp also on the post. The post fits in a socket on the edge of an elliptical wood base. A hole in the base also provides a mounting for a mirror fork-mounted on a pin.
The stage has a ring clip below with coil springs to hold slides. The lenses may be used singly or in combination.
With a black sharkskin covered box (3&1/4 x 4&1/4 x 1&1.4 inches) with green velvet and silk lining.
Three small magnifiers are set in brass rings on short arms on a larger ring attached to the top of a square bar that forms the post. A ring stage slides on the post with a fine adjustment screw and clamp also on the post. The post fits in a socket on the edge of an elliptical wood base. A hole in the base also provides a mounting for a mirror fork-mounted on a pin.
The stage has a ring clip below with coil springs to hold slides. The lenses may be used singly or in combination.
With a black sharkskin covered box (3&1/4 x 4&1/4 x 1&1.4 inches) with green velvet and silk lining.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
Historical AttributesThis pocket botanical and universal microscope was acquired in 1789 by Dr. John Jeffries (Harvard AB 1763), a loyalist who fled to England during the American Revolution.
Dr. Ernst noted that "It has an attachment with a Lieberkühn's mirror for using a drop of water as a lens."
Dr. Ernst noted that "It has an attachment with a Lieberkühn's mirror for using a drop of water as a lens."
Curatorial RemarksDr. Lewis: "very close to RMS A-69 by W. and S. Jones. See: Hist. of the M. , Clay & Court , p. 71, 1975."
ProvenanceDr. John Jeffries, purchased in London, 1789; Jeffries family; Dr. B. Joy Jeffries; gift to Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 1), Harvard Medical School, 1898.
Published References"Catalog of the Exhibition, Benjamin Franklin: A How-To Guide," Harvard Library Bulletin, 17 (spring-summer 2006): 96-97.