Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 548 (Unassigned maker; pocket microscope; second half of 19^th century to early 20^th century)

Microscope 548, made of brass, is a simple pocket microscope. The instrument should be dated to the second half of the 19^th century to the early 20^th century. This instrument is similar to others described in Bracegirdle (2005) A catalogue of the microscopy collections at the science museum, London, Little Imp Publications (Figure1). The microscope consists of a tube of brass painted black, with a screw-in aperture (diameter 3 mm) at one end, and at the other end is a thick lens, and under it a glass disc for the specimen. The instrument is engraved on one side with “TRADEMARK TRY-ME”.

Figure 1. Simple microscope by McCulloch (A), hand microscope (B) and pocket microscope signed TRADEMARK/TRYME (C) as featured in Bracegirdle (2005) A catalogue of the microscopy collections at the science museum, London, Little Imp Publications (CD).