Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

 

    

Microscope 478 (Unassigned maker; seed or insect live-cage pocket microscope; c. 1900)

A glass container with a round lid

Description automatically generatedA close-up of a glass

Description automatically generated

Microscope 478 is a pocket live-cage microscope that would have been used to observe seeds and insects (Figure 1). The instrument should be dated to c. 1900 and should have a French origin, being engraved with “MODELE DEPOSÉ” (which translates to registered mark).

A black and white drawing of a container

Description automatically generated

Figure 1. Seed or insect life-cage pocket microscope as engraved in an 1890 catalogue of James Queen.