Zeiss stand Ia laboratory compound microscope
Date: circa 1885
Inventory Number: 1125
Classification: Microscope
Subject:
Maker: Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena (1846 - 1904)
Maker: Carl Zeiss Jena (1904 - 1948)
Maker: Carl Zeiss (company timeline) (founded 1846)
Owner: Alexander Agassiz (1835 - 1910)
Inventor: Ernst Abbe (1840 - 1905)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Jena,
City of Use:
Dimensions:
microscope: 33.7 × 12.7 × 16.5 cm (13 1/4 × 5 × 6 1/2 in.)
case: 40.6 × 21 × 20.6 cm (16 × 8 1/4 × 8 1/8 in.)
Accessories: objectives (4): A, C, F, and DD; 1 ocular: 5; small-parts box with ocular micrometer case; key; Abbe drawing camera in separate box (1125c); box to hold objectives; standing case.
DescriptionThis is a Zeiss stand Ia laboratory monocular compound microscope from the early Carl Zeiss optical workshop. It has a large square brass stage with a rotating vulcanite disk. There is a rack-and-pinion coarse adjustment on the optical tube. The front of the optical tube is engraved in cursive, "Carl Zeiss, / Jena." Fine focus is by knob on the top of the post. There is a silvered scale on the knob divided 0-100 every 2 units. This microscope is equipped with a double-sided mirror (with convex and plane surfaces), substage Abbe condenser, and interchangeable disc diaphrams. The base is horse-shoe-shaped and blackened.
There is one ocular marked 5. It is engraved in cursive lettering, "Carl Zeiss, Jena."
The nosepiece is quadruple, holding four objectives marked A, C, F, and DD. All are signed "C. ZEISS." A small wooden case covered with black leather and lined in red velvet is included in the microscope case. It has compartments for 8 objectives. It is unsigned (and is inventory number 1125d).
Accompanying this microscope is a wooden box with a sliding lid (inv. 1125b). It holds a key, with the initial "L." It also holds an ivory pill-box marked "Okular-Micrometer" and has a sticker marked "Germany." It holds two black picks.
Accompanying this microscope is an Abbe drawing camera stored in a mahogany box with brass latch hooks and nickel-plated hinges. It is lined in burgundy velvet. The Abbe drawing camera is an early type. It is made of brass, and some is blackened and nickel-plated. The brass frame of the mirror is signed in cursive lettering, "Carl Zeiss, Jena." (The box and drawing camera were formerly number 82a. They are now 1125c.)
All these items are held in a large standing wooden case with nickel-plated hinges. The case is later than the original microscope, and is marked with the "CARL ZEISS / JENA" logo in the achromat and blind-stamped "GERMANY." It is an early 20th century replacement.
There is one ocular marked 5. It is engraved in cursive lettering, "Carl Zeiss, Jena."
The nosepiece is quadruple, holding four objectives marked A, C, F, and DD. All are signed "C. ZEISS." A small wooden case covered with black leather and lined in red velvet is included in the microscope case. It has compartments for 8 objectives. It is unsigned (and is inventory number 1125d).
Accompanying this microscope is a wooden box with a sliding lid (inv. 1125b). It holds a key, with the initial "L." It also holds an ivory pill-box marked "Okular-Micrometer" and has a sticker marked "Germany." It holds two black picks.
Accompanying this microscope is an Abbe drawing camera stored in a mahogany box with brass latch hooks and nickel-plated hinges. It is lined in burgundy velvet. The Abbe drawing camera is an early type. It is made of brass, and some is blackened and nickel-plated. The brass frame of the mirror is signed in cursive lettering, "Carl Zeiss, Jena." (The box and drawing camera were formerly number 82a. They are now 1125c.)
All these items are held in a large standing wooden case with nickel-plated hinges. The case is later than the original microscope, and is marked with the "CARL ZEISS / JENA" logo in the achromat and blind-stamped "GERMANY." It is an early 20th century replacement.
Signedengraved in cursive lettering on optical tube: Carl Zeiss, / Jena.
engraved in cursive lettering on ocular and Abbe drawing camera: "Carl Zeiss, Jena."
engraved in roman lettering on nosepiece and 4 objectives: "C. ZEISS."
stamped in black on back of case door: CARL ZEISS / JENA [logo in the achromat]
blind-stamped on back of case door: GERMANY
engraved in cursive lettering on ocular and Abbe drawing camera: "Carl Zeiss, Jena."
engraved in roman lettering on nosepiece and 4 objectives: "C. ZEISS."
stamped in black on back of case door: CARL ZEISS / JENA [logo in the achromat]
blind-stamped on back of case door: GERMANY
Inscribedserial number on instrument: No. 8749.
Historical AttributesThis instrument belonged to Alexander Agassiz.
ProvenanceHarvard Medical School; Alexander Agassiz