Oliver Wendell Holmes' demonstration compound microscope
Date: circa 1873
Inventory Number: 2002-1-0051
Classification: Microscope
Dimensions:31.5 × 11 × 36.5 cm (12 3/8 × 4 5/16 × 14 3/8 in.)
Accessories: objective 1/2" engraved W. Wales, NY.; eyepiece 32.3 mm in diameter; diaphragm wheel; articulated concave mirror for illumination; wooden base
Description:
This is Dr. Oliver Wendel Holmes' compound monocular microscope. The microscope stands with illuminator on a flat wooden base. The body tube is inclined at a fixed 45 degree angle on a slim and neat cast-iron frame with a wooden carrying handle. The coarse focus is by sliding the tube and the fine adjustment is by a lever on a screw that tilts the leaf spring-mounted stage.
The circular stage is fitted with a diaphragm wheel underneath. There is also an adjustable cast-iron pan designed to hold a paraffin lamp, which is missing. A concave mirror on an articulated arm is mounted on the left side over the stage.