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A rare George Lindsay brass portable 'snuff box' microscope, English, circa 1748,
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London, United Kingdom
Description
A rare George Lindsay brass portable 'snuff box' microscope, English, circa 1748, stamped with the initials GL and numbered 215 on the pierced platform support frame, the folding tripod base with brass column and decorative pierced frame supporting the microscope platform with eyepiece, Lieberkühn mount, stage and reflector, dismantling to store in original silk lined fish skin case with two Lieberkühns and four bone slides, the microscope when erected, 18 x 10 x 9cm (7 x 4 x 3 1/2in), case 3 x 8 x 6cm (1 1/4 x 3 1/8 x 2 3/8in) Footnotes: George Lindsay (fl. 1743-1776) was a leading instrument maker during the mid-18th century, his talent confirmed by his appointment in 1760 to the role of royal watch and clock maker to George III. Prior to this Lindsay circulated advertisements for G Lindsay Watch & Clockmaker to his Royal Highness ye Prince of Wales at ye Dial near Catherine Street in ye Strand. Inventor & Maker of ye Generally portable microscope. The present microscope is an example of Lindsay's patented pocket microscopes, the first such design to receive a patent (No. 588) in 1742/3. Lindsay published a pamphlet in 1743, which championed the portability of his microscope as fitting into any case 'not exceeding six Cubic Inches'. As a result, the instrument was affectionately called the 'snuff-box microscope'. A comparable brass example of this instrument is in the collection of the Royal Microscopical Society, London. Lindsay also produced two silver models were produced, one of which is now in the Whipple Museum, Cambridge. Literature: cf. Gerard L'E Turner, The Great Age of the Microscope, Bristol, pp. 261-262, No. 279. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
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A rare George Lindsay brass portable 'snuff box' microscope, English, circa 1748, stamped with the initials GL and numbered 215 on the pierced platform support frame, the folding tripod base with brass column and decorative pierced frame supporting the microscope platform with eyepiece, Lieberkühn mount, stage and reflector, dismantling to store in original silk lined fish skin case with two Lieberkühns and four bone slides, the microscope when erected, 18 x 10 x 9cm (7 x 4 x 3 1/2in), case 3 x 8 x 6cm (1 1/4 x 3 1/8 x 2 3/8in) Footnotes: George Lindsay (fl. 1743-1776) was a leading instrument maker during the mid-18th century, his talent confirmed by his appointment in 1760 to the role of royal watch and clock maker to George III. Prior to this Lindsay circulated advertisements for G Lindsay Watch & Clockmaker to his Royal Highness ye Prince of Wales at ye Dial near Catherine Street in ye Strand. Inventor & Maker of ye Generally portable microscope. The present microscope is an example of Lindsay's patented pocket microscopes, the first such design to receive a patent (No. 588) in 1742/3. Lindsay published a pamphlet in 1743, which championed the portability of his microscope as fitting into any case 'not exceeding six Cubic Inches'. As a result, the instrument was affectionately called the 'snuff-box microscope'. A comparable brass example of this instrument is in the collection of the Royal Microscopical Society, London. Lindsay also produced two silver models were produced, one of which is now in the Whipple Museum, Cambridge. Literature: cf. Gerard L'E Turner, The Great Age of the Microscope, Bristol, pp. 261-262, No. 279. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing
Science, Technology & Natural History
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SW7 1HH
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