Wilson-Type Screw-Barrel Microscope, around 1710

Description

This Wilson-Type Screw-Barrel Microscope is engraved: ‘E. Culpeper Fecit’, indicating that it was made by the British scientific instrument manufacturer Edmund Culpeper (1670–1738).
The microscope was designed to be hand-held. Samples to be viewed were placed onto the slider, containing lenses of different magnification strengths. The slider is held in place between two brass plates. The microscope is focused by screwing the barrel in and out.
The lacquered brass barrel microscope, ivory handle, six lenses numbered 1-6 (three lack lenses) and other accessories are stored in a case.

Fact

Edmund Culpeper is best known for the tripod compound microscope he developed between 1725 and 1730. However, he also made simple Wilson-Type microscopes, based on the design introduced by James Wilson in 1702.