Rob ter Ellen

Optical Equipment Auction (Microscopes & Landsurvey)

This object is an antique brass portable drum microscope, complete with its original wooden case (presumably mahogany or walnut).
It is a classic field and study instrument, characterized by a cylindrical brass body. Focusing is done manually by sliding the main optical tube (draw tube) up or down. Beneath the circular platform where slides were placed is a tilting reflecting mirror that directs ambient light upward.
This particular model of drum microscope was very popular around the turn of the 20th century (roughly between 1880 and 1920). It was commonly used as a travel or field microscope by scientists, physicians, and students of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, thanks to its compact size and ease of transport.

Questo oggetto è un antico microscopio portatile a tamburo (drum microscope) in ottone, completo della sua custodia originale in legno (presumibilmente mogano o noce).
Si tratta di un classico strumento da campo e da studio, caratterizzato da una struttura cilindrica in ottone. La messa a fuoco avviene manualmente facendo scorrere il tubo ottico principale (draw-tube) verso l'alto o verso il basso. Sotto la piattaforma circolare dove venivano posizionati i vetrini, è alloggiato lo specchietto riflettente inclinabile per direzionare la luce ambientale verso l'alto.
Questo modello specifico di microscopio a tamburo è stato molto popolare a cavallo tra il XIX e l'inizio del XX secolo (indicativamente tra il 1880 e il 1920). Veniva comunemente impiegato come microscopio da viaggio o da campo per scienziati, medici e studenti dell'era vittoriana ed edoardiana, grazie alla sua compattezza e facilità di trasporto.

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Drum microscope - 1880-1920

Brass - Good

Italy

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Type

Over 200 years old

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Functional condition

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This tested and working portable drum microscope is made of brass, dates from around 1880–1920 and comes with its original wooden case.

Drum microscope - 1880-1920

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This tested and working portable drum microscope is made of brass, dates from around 1880–1920 and comes with its original wooden case.

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