Antique Drum Microscope with 4 Lenses. Circa 1880

Antique drum microscope with 4 lenses, made circa 1880 and in good condition. This singular device in complete and in working order and comes in its original mahogany storing case, finely preserved too. It is composed of a brass tube with lens, eyepiece and mirror and can be used to watch samples. It probably comes from France though it is unsigned. The brass is well preserved and shows only slight signs of wear due to the trace of time and use. This detail only provides the instrument with a fine antique patina. The storing case keeps the original finish and inner red fabric lining, as well as the wooden compartments designed to keep the component parts and accessories in order. This delicate antique drum microscope with 4 lenses will delight every lover of old-time scientific articles. Dimensions: Width: 2.3 in / 6 cm. Height: 8.3 in / 21 cm.Drum Microscopes History Drum microscopes are an evolution of pocket or travel microscopes. They were invented by the English mathematician and optic material manufacturer Benjamin Martin who made the first model in 1738. This instrument was made of wood, brass and cardboard. A drum microscope is composed of a cylinder which slides inside a pipe in order to focus the specimen or sample through the instruments lens. The specimen receives the light reflected by the oscillating mirror located at the bottom of the microscope. For their easy operation and small size, drum microscopes became quite popular and were produced for around two centuries with scarcely any modifications of the original design. Cheap and affordable, they were highly appreciated by students.