Microscope

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This brass microscope was made around 1860, probably by Alexander Adie & Son, scientific instrument makers based in Edinburgh. Microscopes of this type were relatively inexpensive and were often used by medical students.

The microscope is a compound type with a side pillar on a 'drum' base. It is signed below the eye-piece draw-tube 'ADIE & SON/ EDINBURGH'.

A series of student microscopes retailed by the firm Adie & Son at this period appear to have interchangeable optical parts and mechanical sub-assemblies.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-802-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1982.133
• Date: Around 1860
  c. 1860
  
• Material: Brass / wooden box. Inscription: Adie & Son, / Edinburgh
  Microscope, compound / box
  
• Dimensions: 330 mm x 90 D; 260 mm x 135 mm x 100 mm
  
• What: Microscope, compound / box
  
• Subject:
• Who: Adie and Son (Inscribed on the microscope)
  Adie and Son, Edinburgh (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Compound drum-type microscope in brass, contained in a fitted wooden box, probably by Alexander Adie and Son, Edinburgh, c. 1860
  
• 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 50,63 
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