All Objects Record
Metadata
Object Name |
Monocular Compound Microscope |
Object ID |
2017.013.07.01 |
Date |
/ / |
Earliest Year |
1872 |
Latest Year |
1872 |
Description |
This is a microscope from c.1872, manufactured in Paris by Dr E. Hartnack et Cie who was a successor of Georg Oberhäuser. There are no manufacturer’s marks, but it is accompanied by a price list for Hartnack microscopes dated 1872 (see item 11 below). It is possibly a model Stand VIII. 01)Varnished dark wooden case designed to fit the microscope. It has three brass hinges. On the side opposite the hinges are brass fittings with a keyhole for locking the box. There is no key with the box. The interior of the case has wooden supports for the microscope. There is also a wooden section for holding two additional eyepieces, and a rectangular wooden compartment for additional tools. On the lower right-hand edge (viewed when open) the numbers "13778" are inscribed. 02)Flat rectangular wooden lid, with narrow wooden knob handle for lifting. The lid fits into a compartment in the case. 03)A purple fabric cushion which fits into the lid of the case to protect the microscope. The cushion has a stiff and flat card backing which would fit against the lid of the case. There is a fabric loop in the middle of one side to help lift it out of the case. 04)Microscope stand with a heavy horseshoe-shaped base. Above the base the stand is brass with a black stage attached about half-way up. The stage has two metal arms to hold the microscope’s slides. Under the stage a mirror is attached on a double hinged joint. A circular loop with female threads at the top of the stand connect the body tube to the stand. There is a brass threaded knob on the top of the stand to adjust the microscope. 05)Body tube of the microscope is brass and cylindrical. A magnifying glass is attached to the centre of the body tube with a three-hinged joint. The objective lens screws onto the bottom of the body tube. The eyepiece screws onto the top of the body tube. 06)Objective lens - A small glass lens which attaches to the bottom of the body tube with brass threads. 07)Eyepiece – a circular glass lens with brass fittings to attach it to the body tube. Marked with a "2" on the top brass fitting. 08-10) Additional Eyepiece (3pieces) – 08) small circular glass lens with brass fittings to attach it to the brass cylinder. Marked with a "4" on the brass fitting. 09) brass cylinder. 10) large glass lens with brass fittings to attach it to the brass cylinder. 11) Paper Price List for microscopes. Written in French with some pencil notes in the margins in English. The cover reads "PRIX-COURANT / DES / MICROSCOPES / ACHROMATIQUES / DU / DR E. HARTNACK ET CIE / Succrs de G. OBERHAEUSER / OCTOBRE 1872". The pamphlet has five pages and includes prices and descriptions of different models. This price list was found between the cushion and the lid of the case. The name "J. A. [Doncrau?] M.D." is written on the bottom inside page in pencil, on the following page is a reference to the London Post Office. 12) Eyeglasses found in the rectangular compartment of the case wrapped in paper towel. Glass lenses. The frame is thin blue metal. |
Dimension Details |
01)10.5cm x 28.0cm x 14.5cm 02)3.0cm x 12.5cm x 3.0cm 03)2.0cm x 26.0cm x 12.0cm 04)18.0cm x 8.0cm x 11.5cm 05)15.5cm x 6.0cm x 5.0cm (with magnifying glass folded in) 06)0.5cm x 1.0cm (diameter) 07)0.5cm x 3.0cm (diameter) 08)0.5cm x 3.0cm (diameter) 09)3.0cm x 2.5cm (diameter) 10)0.5cm x 2.0cm (diameter) 11)21.0cm x 13.0cm 12)2.5cm x 12.5cm x 3.0cm (arms folded) |
Materials |
Wood/Metal/Glass/Paper |
Inscription Type |
Other Markings |
Inscription Text |
"13773" on the case. |
Owned By |
J. A. [Doncrau?] M.D. |
Donated By |
Robertson, Dr. Don (Family of) Harman, David (Contact – brother-in-law of Dr. Robertson) Inchley, Kevin (Facilitator of |
MeSH Search Terms |
Investigative Techniques Microscopy / Instrumentation |
Classification |
Microscopes |
Research Notes |
This microscope was designed by Edmund Hartnack (1826-91). He was a Prussian microscope maker who studied his craft in Berlin. In 1857, Hartnack joined the instrument-making firm of Georges Oberhauser in Paris which has a reputation for high quality products. Hartnack established his workshop at 21 Place Dauphin in Paris in 1860. In 1864 Polish astronomer and mathematician Adam Prazmowski became his production manager. Hartnack had to leave Paris during the French-Prussian war of 1870 but maintained his factory in Potsdam, leaving his partner Prazmowski, in Paris. The Parisian branch was eventually taken over by Nachet et Fils. Hartnack was a pioneer of immersion objectives and water immersion lenses. This model enjoyed popularity among 19th century scientists, including Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, and Sigmund Freud. (see supporting material.) |