case and accessories for Nachet large compound microscope
Date: circa 1862
Inventory Number: 1068b
Classification: Microscope Case
Dimensions:microscope: 37.5 × 11 × 16 cm (14 3/4 × 4 5/16 × 6 5/16 in.)
case: 15.3 × 36.5 × 23.5 cm (6 × 14 3/8 × 9 1/4 in.)
Accessories: 9 objectives and caps 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, (last 3 marked "Nachet à Paris") in their own box; 3 eyepieces 1, 2, 3; large stage clips; dual nosepiece; camera lucida; side illumination prism ; substage cup diaphragm; substage condensers (3); rotating wheel diaphragm; substage mirror on articulated arm; wrench; convertible objectives (3) for a different microscope; flat case.
DescriptionThis microscope is very corroded and cannot be dismantled for storing in its original box. Therefore, the microscope has been assigned 1068a; the box and accessories, 1068b.
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1068b:
The Nachet microscope has 3 eyepieces (1, 2, 3). All have a sliding cover on the side of the barrel,which is opened when the eyepiece micrometer slide is used. Eyepiece no. 1 is inserted in the tube (1068a), whereas nos. 2 and 3 are in the microscope's case.
The microscope's 9 objectives (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) are stored in a little box, kept inside the case. Nos. 6, 7, 8 are signed by Nachet and have correction fittings. All have protective caps. The box is wood covered in black leather and lined with faded claret silk and velvet.
The Nachet microscope comes with it original mahogany flat case, which is dovetailed, has brass corner protectors, and has a brass handle on the right hand side. The case has a cushion in the lid covered with faded claret silk. Areas of the box are padded with claret velvet.
A parts box is built into the case and has a lift out mahogany tray. The storage area below this tray is presently empty. The wood tray itself has two more lift-out trays that stack over the lowest section. The interior of all three levels are partitioned by cardstock covered in red silk. The lowest level has compartments for glass slides, with red silk ribbons to secure them. The middle level has a compartment with wood blocking covered by red velvet to make fitted holes for a side-illumination prism and condensers (only 1 present). The other section is simply padded with red velvet. The upper level tray has two similarly customized compartments. The fitted section currently holds a cup diaphragm, a substage condenser, the slide frame for the micrometer eyepiece, and a camera lucida. The plain section has 3 convertible objectives from a different Nachet microscope (perhaps a drum microscope); a wrench, and a little aperture.