Microscope (detail), sold by Philip Carpenter

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This photograph shows a detail of the retailer's signature on the body tube of a microscope sold by Philip Carpenter in London between 1827 and 1837. The design of this microscope was described in an anonymous pamphlet published in about 1830 as the 'Improved Compound Microscope for Opake & Transparent Objects'. It was probably made in London by one of the many small workshops in the Clerkenwell area.

The retailer's signature reads: 'Improved Compound Microscope. / BY P. CARPENTER. / 24. Regent Strt. London.' It is essentially identical to another in the collection signed by A. Abraham of Liverpool.

Philip Carpenter moved from Birmingham to London in about 1827, where he opened retail premises in Regent Street. At this address he ran an exhibition named the 'Microcosm', which was about the wonders of what could be seen through the instrument. Visitors to it were encouraged to buy a variety of optical apparatus, including microscopes of this type.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-157-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1979.44
• Date: 1827 - 1837
  Between 1827 and 1837
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: Improved Compound Microscope, BY P. CARPENTER. 24, Regent Strt. London
  Microscope, compound
  
• Dimensions: 210 mm x 220 mm x 390 mm
  
• What: Microscope, compound
  
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Microscope Collection
  P. Carpenter, 24 Regent Street, London (Name engraved on microscope)
  
• Where: England
  
• Event:
• Description: 'Improved Compound Microscope' in brass, with 1 single lens objective, signed by P. Carpenter of London, 1827 - 1837
  
• References:
  • For Carpenter, see Nuttall, R.H. Philip Carpenter and the 'Microcosm' exhibition: with a note on Carpenter and Westley's microscopes. Microscopy 33 (1976), pp 62-65. 
  • Nuttall, R.H. (1979): "Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800 - 1860" 
  • Nuttall, R.H. Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800-1860. Jersey, 1979, p 32. 
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