$1,500
Screw-Barrel Microscope, 18th century, of lacquered brass, with steel spring and detachable bone handle, closed lg. approx. 2 1/8 in., (chip on eyepiece lens and small dent in lens mount); a turned arm with threaded aperture for holding objectives to view opaque specimens; an opaque specimen-holder with steel pin, forceps and sliding brass plate, (missing black/white disc); four-aperture cell; forceps; six objectives, three with threaded bone caps, five numbered 1, 2, 3, 9, and 50 , the sixth un-numbered; and a schematic engraving of a screw-barrel microscope, in velvet-lined fitted mahogany case, wd. 5 1/2 in. Literature: The Billings Microscope Collection , p. 198; Gerard L'E Turner, The Great Age of the Microscope , pp. 254 -256.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2008-08-23