Powell achromatic compound microscope
Date: 1841
Inventory Number: 1164
Classification: Microscope
Dimensions:unassembled microscope: 38.5 × 20.9 × 18 cm (15 3/16 × 8 1/4 × 7 1/16 in.)
case: 21.6 × 46 × 23.8 cm (8 1/2 × 18 1/8 × 9 3/8 in.)
Accessories: oculars (2); objectives (3): 1/2, 1/8, 1/4 with attachable Lieberkühn; stage slide holder; stage fish plate holder; X-Y mechanical stage; fish plate; prepared slides (2); plain glass slides (2) and cover slips (2); box of cover slips; sponge; cotton bag; folding scalpel; fish plate; mount for stage forceps; fishhook; assorted hardware; case
Bibliography:Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800-1860
DescriptionThis achromatic compound microscope is made of brass. The three-legged base supports two upright columns, which are topped by the inclining joint. A chunky curved arm supports an upright box with rack and pinion that carries the body tube. The lower portion of the arm holds the stage and a post with the mirror. There is an ocular draw tube. The eyepiece is large in diameter. The coarse focus is by rack and pinion. The fine
focus is actuated by pair of knurled knobs near the top of the arm; these turn a screw which drives a cone.
The mechanical stage has x-y motion. The top of the stage has a collar for attaching a choice of slide holders and dissecting plates by means of a removable sleeve attached to a dovetailed plate. A matching circular aperture below the stage enables one to insert a condenser or diaphragm. A small swinging arm is located beneath the stage with a socket to hold accessories. The substage plano-concave is mounted on the end of an arc that pivots off a moveable sleeve attached to a cylindrical post mirror on a tube.
The dovetailed plate attached to the mechanical stage mates with two different tops. One is a spring-loaded slide holder that can grab slides in two ways. Ths second stage top is rectangular and has a spring to hold a wide brass fish plate. The edges are pierced with holes for the tie-down ribbon; one side is inset with a disk of glass.
The instrument is stored inside a flat wooden case with related accessories and Hugh Powell's trade card inside the lid. Parts are cushioned with red leather. There are two large brass handles on each side of the case, and a spring-loaded drawer in the front.
Accessories include 2 oculars and 3 objectives with canisters: 1/2, 1/4 (with removable Lieberkuhn), 1/8 inch. There is an articulated mount for a stage forceps or needle (the latter missing). This mount goes into a hole in the microscope's arm. A long brass rod with a blunt tip and knurled head is also present, but purpose unknown.
There is also a little cotton bag with a draw string; a natural sponge; 2 plane glass slides and 2 large rectangular cover slips. There are 2 prepared glass slides with insects, the specimen names inscribed into the glass, and one slide inscribed, "Bryson, / Edinburgh." A pasteboard pill box covered with green paper holds cover slips. It is a repurposed container that originally held percussion caps.
A folding steel scalpel or spatula is mounted in an ivory-colored handle, and is signed "CHARRIERE" on the blade.
A square box lid, marked "ONE / [R]EPLACEMENT PARTS," is repurposed as a little tray. It holds an iron fishhook; a broken paper "washer;" a brass rectangular frame (one side painted white); a 3-sided frame of brass that appears to be part of a stage accessory; a glass cover slip; and an open jaw, brass washer.
Signedon rear of base: Hugh Powell, / London / 1841.
printed on trade card in case lid: H. POWELL, / 24, Clarendon Str. Somers Town, / Mathematical, Optical and Philosophical / Instrument Maker. / Achromatic object glasses, Doublets, Triplets, / & every other modern / IMPROVEMENT ON THE MICROSCOPE / executed upon the shortest notice.
on pillbox lid: Anti-corrosive / PERCUSSION CAPS / manufd. for the / MASS. ARMS CO. / WILCOX & CHATTAWAY.
glass slide inscribed: Bryson, / Edinburgh
on blade of folding steel scalpel: CHARRIERE
printed on red address tag: THEODORE LYMAN / BROOKLINE / 105 Heath St. MASS.
Inscribedin ink on reverse of red address tag: Dr. F. T. Lewis / Dept of Anatomy
Historical AttributesThis instrument was owned by Theodore Lyman III, the naturalist and a founder of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. He bought it around 1855, when the microscope was "not new." His son, Theodore Lyman IV, the physicist, presented the microscope to Dr. Frederic T. Lewis for the microscope collection. [see early file card for further information].
ProvenanceTheodore Lyman III (the naturalist), Brookline, MA, circa 1855; Professor Theodore Lyman IV (the physicist), Brookline, MA, c. 1897-1944; gift to Dr. Frederic T. Lewis, Department of Anatomy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1944; Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 164), Harvard Medical School
Related WorksR. H. Nuttall, Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800-1860 (Jersey, Channel Islands: A. Frank, 1979), 39.