Screw-barrel microscope, 18th century

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Containers:
Artifact-box 197, Item htrent0008
Scope and content:

Simple monocular microscope, signed E. Culpepper, Londini. Brass with ivory handle. Housed in a small box covered in fish-skin and lined with green velvet. Some of the original parts are missing (notably the extension for opaque objects); however, it does include: six brass-mounted objectives, four ivory sliders, one brass slider, or animalcule cage, for living specimens, one opaque specimen holder with black and white disks and forceps, and one small ivory talc box.

Developed by 1710, the brass screw-barrel microscope was the most common pocket microscope produced by instument makers in the 18th century. Intended primarily for tranparent specimens, this single lens microscope's small size, ease of use, and low price made it quite popular among amateurs. Normally held by an ivory handle screwed to the side of the body, the microscope could also be mounted via a ball joint at the top of a pillar which stood on a flat tripod. Over time many modifications were made to the original design and numerous accessories were employed which allowed a broader range of use.

Acquisition information:
Received from: Dr. Josiah Charles Trent

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