Microscope

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This brass compound microscope dates from around 1890. It was probably made by J. Parkes & Son of Birmingham and was retailed by Aberdeen jewellers A. & J. Smith. This model was called 'The Worker' and was aimed at the student market.

The microscope has an inclining pillar and a black-painted cast iron tripod base. It is focused is by the push-pull tube and by turning the screw at the top of the pillar. The instrument is engraved 'A. & J. SMITH/ ABERDEEN'. It lacks its objective.

The two brothers Alexander and John Smith, who founded the firm of A. & J. Smith in 1867, were both members of the Aberdeen Incorporation of Hammermen. Alexander was admitted in 1877, John in 1880.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-780-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.240
• Date: Around 1890
  c. 1890
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: A. & J. SMITH, / ABERDEEN.
  
• Dimensions: 250 mm H
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: A. and J. Smith, Aberdeen (Retailer)
  A. and J. Smith, Aberdeen (Retailer)
  Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  J. Parkes and Son, Birmingham (Maker)
  
• Where: England, Warwickshire, Birmingham
  Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen
  
• Event:
• Description: 'The Worker' model compound student microscope in brass and oxidised brass, by J. Parkes and Son, Birmingham, signed by A. and J. Smith of Aberdeen, c. 1890
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. pp 162-3 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
• Translations:
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