case and parts box for Nachet large compound microscope
Date: 1862
Inventory Number: 1157c
Classification: Microscope Accessory
Dimensions:case: 13.7 × 35.5 × 22.1 cm (5 3/8 × 14 × 8 11/16 in.)
parts box: 7.8 × 19.7 × 8 cm (3 1/16 × 7 3/4 × 3 1/8 in.)
Accessories: 1 cup diaphragm, 1 diffuser; camera lucida; stage and eyepiece micrometers; liquid trough; 3 dissecting knives; prepared slides in box (1157d); 3 prepared slides loose; plain slides; cover glasses; bull's eye on jointed arm(1157e); Amici's illuminator prism with stand (1157f); compressorium (1157g); case with parts box (1157c).
Description1157 is a fine example of the type of compound microscope that Nachet et Fils called the "grand modèle." For descriptive purposes and better comparison with a similar but not identical, early "grand modèle" by Nachet, the assembly is divided into these components, each with their own images and written details:
1157a: the microscope with eyepieces
1157b: box of objectives and condensers
1157c: microscope case and parts box, with diverse accessories
1157d: box of slides
1157e: bull's eye condenser
1157f: Amici illuminating prism, Nachet-style
1157g: compressorium
1157h: manuscripts found in case
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1157c is the fitted mahogany case with a lift-out parts box for the large Nachet microscope (1157a).
The main case has brass corners, dovetail joints, and a brass handle on one side. The case is padded with rosy-peach-colored velvet. It has a lock and key. An extra key is also in the case.
There are slots for two eyepieces, the bull's eye lens and its base (1157e). The base for the Amici illuminating prism (1157f) is loose in the case. The compartment below the lift-out parts box holds the Amici prism and its articulated post, and a compressorium (1157g).
The lift-out parts box is made of mahogany and cushioned on top by cotton batting covered with silk moire fabric of a faded rose color. The cushion is hinged on its long edge and opens up to reveal a fitted lift-out tray covered in rose velvet. Its silk ribbons are the same color. Below the tray is another fitted compartment lined in rose silk and velvet, with rose and spotted yellow ribbons for lifting things out. Another lift-out tray in this compartment is constructed in similar fashion to the first tray. It covers a rectangular compartment below.
Accessories in the upper parts-box tray include a microscope eyepiece camera lucida, a stage micrometer, the eyepiece micrometer slide, a brass-and-glass trough for wet specimens, a cup diaphragm, a cup diffuser, the articulated post for the bull's eye condenser (1157e, the lens and base are in the main case) There is also a small piece of metal foil folded up.
Accessories in the lower compartment include a small red-leatherette box holding prepared slides (1157d); 13 rectangular glass slides; 3 paper-covered prepared slides by Charles Chevalier (one broken), plus the back side of another Chevalier slide; a rectangular white-and-green box of square cover slips padded with cotton; the business card of Dr. Algernon Coolidge (1157i); and a rectangular lift out tray with dissecting tools. The tools include two needles and one scalpel by Charrière of Paris.
Below this second tray it a compartment holding bits of two leather straps. The instrument originally had a leather case for the microscope box. This is all that is left.
SignedEngraved on microscope (1157a) arm: NACHET / ET FILS / à Paris / rue Serpente, 16.
on prepared slides: Charles Chevalier / Palais Royal.
Inscribedon stage micrometer: Micromètre / Millimètre / en 100 Partes
Historical AttributesFormerly Ernst-Lewis collection no. 157.
Dr. Lewis notes: "From Dr. Edward D. Churchill in 1940. It came to him from the heirs of Dr. Algernon Coolidge, and possibly belonged to his father [Dr. Algernon Coolidge. Senior]. The brass trimmed mahogany box with full equipment was in its leather case. Since this microscope would have been out of date for Dr. Coolidge Jr. (AB 1881; MD 1886; Professor of Laryngology, 1911-1925), it in all probability belonged to his father, Algernon Coolidge, MD 1853, University Lecturer 2nd half 1867-1868, Instructor in Pathological Anatomy, 1865; Lecturer on Tumors, 1868-1869, in connection with which this microscope would have been excellent equipment."
Primary SourcesMaison Nachet & Fils Fabrique d'Instruments de Micrographie (Paris, 1872), 6, 26.
On Nachet's oblique illuminating prism, and on Nachet's mounting of Amici's illuminating prism, see John Quekett, Practical Treatise on the Use of the Microscope, 2nd ed. (1852), 119-120, 204.
ProvenanceDr. Algernon S. Coolidge, Sr, Harvard Medical School; Dr. Algernon S. Coolidge, Jr, Harvard Medical School; Dr. Edward D. Churchill, before 1940; gift to Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 157), Harvard Medical School, 1940.