Antique Drum Microscope [Steward’s Portable Botanical Compound Microscope] c1870’s

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Antique Drum Microscope [Steward’s Portable Botanical Compound Microscope] c1870’s

Short Description

A very nice cased English drum or field microscope. We have identified this exact type including accessories in the J.H. Steward Catalogue for 1871 so we can date it pretty well – see image of catalogue page with full description.

Original mahogany case with internal compartments circa 21cm x 8cm x 7cm. It has a crack in the lid of no structural consequence. Overall, a lovely patina superior to the usual pine equivalents.

Microscope in good condition with original eyepiece, three numbered objectives – instructions claim to give maximum magnification of 10,000 times.

Also provided is a brass box with a glass bottom usually for aquatic objects also crystals, salts etc. An insect box for small live insects. Five [would have been six] named paper covered prepared slides original to the set.

Extra special, almost unheard of, we still have the original “printed directions” with schematic of the microscope and accessories. Put back together by someone else with Sellotape

A super example of this upmarket drum style brass microscope.

Steward’s Catalogue goes on … “For Utility, Portability, and Cheapness, this Instrument is not equalled; and to convey some idea of its power, a Microscopic Photograph of the “Trial of Pickwick”, containing upwards 9,000 letters, and occupying the space of a pin’s head, when placed under this Instrument every word can be rad with the greatest ease”

1870’s Quality identified drum microscope with original accessories and printed directions.

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