Browning adjustable kerosene microscope lamp
Date: circa 1880
Inventory Number: 1193
Classification: Microscope Light Source
Subject:
Maker: John Browning (c. 1831 - 1925)
Maker: Holmes, Booth, and Haydens (1853 - 1901)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
lamp: 26.6 × 17 × 12 cm (10 1/2 × 6 11/16 × 4 3/4 in.)
case: 40.5 × 15.8 × 14.5 cm (15 15/16 × 6 1/4 × 5 11/16 in.)
Accessories: case
Bibliography:
=The Microscope: Its Construction and Management
How to Photograph Microscopic Objects
Description:
This is a Browning kerosene microscope lamp. It has a ring-shaped base of cast brass with a fixed vertical brass post. The post is topped by a knob. A metal sleeve moves up and down the post, caring a "cup holder" for the lantern reservoir. The sleeve has a locking screw. Above this on the post, there is a bulbous brass slider carrying a silvered reflector on a ball and socket joint. The silver is much tarnished on the concave side. Higher up on the post there is another bulbous brass slider carrying a brass split ring. The ring grabs a cylindrical ceramic lamp shade with a cut-out opening at the bottom.
The lantern reservoir is blown clear glass with a lipped spout. The lantern wick holder and oil burner is brass. The wick is a flat braided cotton cord. The lamp's glass chimney is missing.
The lamp is stored in a standing wood case with a brass handle on top. The case is a repurposed microscope case.
The lantern reservoir is blown clear glass with a lipped spout. The lantern wick holder and oil burner is brass. The wick is a flat braided cotton cord. The lamp's glass chimney is missing.
The lamp is stored in a standing wood case with a brass handle on top. The case is a repurposed microscope case.
Signedin raised letters on ring base: JOHN BROWING LONDON
embossed on lamp wick raising screw: H B & HAYDENS PAT JAN 24 1860 / & AUG 1 1865
embossed on lamp wick raising screw: H B & HAYDENS PAT JAN 24 1860 / & AUG 1 1865
Curatorial RemarksThis lamp is similar to no. 1250.
Primary SourcesI. H. Jennings, How to Photograph Microscopic Objects (London: Piper & Carter, 1886), 36.
Henri van Heurk, The Microscope: Its Construction and Management, trans. Wynne E. Baxter (London: Crosby Lockwood and Son, 1893). 108, fig. 99.
Henri van Heurk, The Microscope: Its Construction and Management, trans. Wynne E. Baxter (London: Crosby Lockwood and Son, 1893). 108, fig. 99.
ProvenanceDavid P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1962; gift to CHSI, 1963.