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Microscope

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made in London

Postcard of Microscope.
000-180-000-945-C
© National Museums Scotland

Microscope

This achromatic, compound, low power, dissecting microscope in brass was made in London between 1840 and 1850. Although the signature 'DOLLOND. LONDON' on the bar-limb implies that this instrument was made by the famous optical firm of Dollond, it was made by the specialist London microscope makers Powell & Lealand.

The sole accessory of this microscope is a large G-clamp which allows the stand to be fixed to the edge of a table.

Hugh Powell (1799-1883) appears to have worked as a supplier for the instrument trade before he set up on his own and began, in 1840, to sign his microscopes 'Hugh Powell'. In 1842 he took his brother-in-law, Peter Lealand, into partnership, and thereafter instruments were signed 'Powell & Lealand'. The firm made low-power microscopes of this type as auxiliary to their more expensive instruments. This dissecting model is associated with another more powerful microscope retailed by Dollond.


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Online ID: 000-180-000-945-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1979.56
Date: Between 1840 and 1850
Material: Brass
Inscription: DOLLOND, LONDON
Dimensions: 380 mm H
What: Microscope, achromatic compound
Subject:
Who: Arthur Frank Microscope Collection
Dollond, London (Name engraved on microscope)
Powell and Lealand, London (Maker)
Where: England, London
Event:
Description: Achromatic compound dissecting microscope in brass with low power objective, eyepiece and G-clamp, made by Powell and Lealand of London, and signed by Dollond of London, 1840 - 1850
References:
  • For Dollond, see Porter, Roy, Simon Schaffer, J.A. Bennett and Olivia Brown. Science and Profit in 18th Century London. Cambridge, 1985, pp 29-30. 
  • For Powell: see Turner, G. L'E. 'Hugh Powell, James Smith and Andrew Ross: Makers of Microscopes. In: J. North (ed.), Mid-Nineteenth Century Scientists. Oxford, 1969, pp 104-138. 
  • Nuttall, R.H. Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800-1860. Jersey, 1979, p 39. 
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