Aquatic and Screw-Barrel Microscope Compendium by Peter Dollond
Stock Number: FG_24007
£3000
This is an instrument that combines an aquatic microscope with a screw-barrel microscope attachment. The microscope is mounted on a single pillar, which is screwed into a brass fitting that is mounted on top of a box. The case, which also serves as the base, is made of fruitwood covered in black fish skin and it acts as the storage container and the mounting support.
This microscope comes with two lenses for the screw barrel and three lieberkuhns for the aquatic setting. To use it for the aquatic configuration, the stage is inserted into a dovetail fitting. When using the screwbarrel microscope, the stage is removed and the specimen slide is illuminated by the mirror.
Although this example is unsigned, it was undoubtedly made by Dollond, London.
Circa
1750
Country of manufacture
UK and Ireland
Description
Accessories include one bone sample slide, one glass tube, a live box brass slide, and stage forceps. The microscope is approximately 17cm tall. The attachment of the screw barrel to the stand appears to have been professionally fixed in the past, but I am not entirely sure.
For identical sets signed by Dollond, see Golub Collection No. 13; National Museums of Scotland No. T.1925.7; Harvard University collection No. 1007; Moody Medical Library collection No. 1.004; and many others. An instruction page for Dollond (not included in this listing) can be seen in the last photo.
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Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh was the mythological hero of the cultures of ancient West Asia, who set out on a journey in which he sought youth and eternal life.
Fleaglass Gilgamesh is located in Israel. As an archaeologist researching the material culture of the distant past and using the microscope as a powerful research tool, I have collected microscopes for over two decades from this fantastic tool's first 300 years of existence and researched the cultural context of their use. Passion has become an obsession, and I cultivate the complete and almost unique West Asian collection of historical microscopes. Respectively, I put up surplus or exciting items from the collection for sale. I would be happy to advise any interested collector free of charge. I would love to send photos, information and bibliographic references and discuss the sale details of the items offered here for sale.
