Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 21 (unassigned maker; improved household microscope; c. 1900)

Microscope 21 is a simple compound microscope from the late 19^th to early 20^th century, of French origin, known as the ‘improved household microscope’. The number ‘4’ and the words ‘MICROSCOPE’, IMPROVED’ and ‘HOUSEHOLD’ are visible on the iron base, but the maker is unknown. The sliding tube carries a three-part divisible objective of typical French manufacture. The history of the household microscope dates back to an idea of Thomas H. McAllister in the 1860's. This tradition led to many variations being produced in large numbers right through the beginning of the twentieth century. This particular model was for example described as microscope household in the catalogue of the French company E. Vion from 1929 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Microscope household as engraved in the catalogue of the French company E. Vion from 1929.

References

Improved Household Microscope c. 1st Quarter 20th C (https://www.microscope-antiques.com/ihm.html), last accessed on 13.08.2020

THE 'UNIVERSAL' AND 'HOUSEHOLD' MICROSCOPES (http://www.microscope-antiques.com/households.html), last accessed on 13.08.2020

Microscopio de estudiante. Final s. XIX- Principio XX. "Improved Household Microscope" (https://sites.google.com/site/coleccionguillermocrovetto/home/microscopios-compuestos-sin-firma/improved-household-microscope), last accessed on 13.08.2020

THE (ORIGINAL) HOUSEHOLD MICROSCOPE (https://www.microscope-antiques.com/mcallisterhh.html), last accessed on 13.08.2020

Antique Optics - Verbeterde huishoudelijke microscoop (https://antiqueoptics.eu/home/landen/nomen-nescio/), last accessed on 02.01.2021

LAST EDITED: 15.08.2020