Antique Botanical Brass Microscope+Case Circa 1830-40

Description

Here we have for sale is a antique naturalist pocket Botanical and Entomological Microscope, in a fitted case, circa 1830-1840.
This form of the microscope goes by a variety of names such as compass microscope, naturalist’s microscope, simple microscope, entomological microscope, flower microscope, pocket botanical microscope, and botanical microscope. It was introduced in the last years of the 18th century and was still being used 100 years later. It is brass with an "ivorine" handle and simple lens. The components fold up. A needle probe is used to hold a specimen at one end and can be slid in a groove to focus in on it.
Genealogy: .The pocket botanic microscope was first mentioned in Adams book, "Essays on the Microscope" of 1798.
Provenance: Sotheby's Sept. 1995
Notice: Be aware that other merchants (some from India), are selling fake imitations. This is a genuine antique!. Remember - Fake news and fake antiques are  fakes!
This instrument is guaranteed to be an antique original,   not a reproduction!
Measurements: It measures 2 1/8" folded & 2 3/4'' from top of the glass to tip of handle.
Dated in the literature to the first half of the 19th century, this nice handheld entomological single microscope is considered to be of continental European make. It has a fairly large lens (magnification about 10x, field of view) set in a brass mount with nicely turned " bone" handle. It combines a high magnification lens with a live box, enabling the inspection in the field of small insects without the need to kill them (hence the term). The wider end of the microscope can be screwed out and an insect can be placed on the inner brass and glass cylinder. Then the outer brass and glass cover is screwed back leaving a narrow space between the two glasses for the insect to survive. The lens on the other end can be screwed in and out for focusing. The entire instrument is a nicely designed efficient field apparatus for the naturalist.
Similar instruments can be seen in the catalogs of the Science Museum London (Bracegirdle 2005, catalog on CD, inventory A56453); the Billings Microscope Collection catalog, P.201, Fig. 389; R. Giordano, 2012, The Discoverer's Lens, No. 98.
HISTORY OF FOLDING 'COMMON FLOWER OR INSECT' MICROSCOPES: This microscope has been referred to as a 'Botanical', 'Flower' (Adams and also much later, Queen), 'insect' microscope (Adams), or 'Entomological'(Giordano) microscope, depending on the author. The 1798 (2nd ed) of George Adams' 'Essays on the Microscope' illustrates this form for the first time and refers to it as the 'Common Flower or Insect Microscope.
ALL international shippments and high priced items require insurance.
Please look at the picture and read the description, which form a part of the condition description. What you see and what you read is what you are buying
International purchasers should appreciate that the Customs Dept. of your country may assess duties, taxes and/or other charges on your purchase as it enters your country, which expenses are not part of the purchase price for this item and remains the sole expense of the purchaser.
This product would make a wonderful addition to any scientific instrument or microscope collection when displayed in a prominent place, being a grand collectible item that would adorn any serious collector's prized scientific instrument and microscope accumulations, while showing a discriminating dedication for fine microscopes and other scientific instrument items as well as a devotion to acquiring fine collectibles.
Please look at the photos as what you see is what you are buying.
Please note that the photos form a part of the condition description.
Please mouse over and click on each image to view high resolution photos.
Returns : Returns are accepted ONLY if the item was not the item described.
International Buyers - Please Note :
* Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
* Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.
* These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up - do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.