Signedunsigned
Inscribedon optical tube: 936
on lens holder: 941
on spare mirror: Mirror for / Solar Micro- / scope / see # 43 / from / Lyman / 1963
FunctionProjection microscopes like the lucernal and solar microscopes placed the image on a screen where many could see it simultaneously. This aided communication about the specimen and was good for teaching.
ProvenanceUnsigned, this solar microscope was most likely by Benjamin Martin, circa 1765 (though its actual provenance might well be from Robert Hale of Beverly who gave "his present to use of a Magic Lanthorn & a Solar Microscope").