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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope 619 (unassigned maker; pillar-type linen tester; 1850s)
Microscope 619 is a pillar-type linen tester, or linen prover, and
should be dated from the 1850s. These instruments would be used for counting
threads in fabrics (the number of threads per unit of length provides evidence
of a higher quality of cloth). The most common basic form of this type of
linen testers had a fixed focus but focusing models like microscope 619 were
sold as well. Linen testers have been made and sold by many companies since
at least the early 19th century and were rarely signed by their
makers or retailers (Figure 1). Pillar-type linen testers were eventually
supplanted by the folding versions and other types of thread counters in the
early twentieth century.
Figure 1. Focusing model of pillar-type linen tester
as featured in the catalogue of Palmer from 1840. |
