Culpeper microscope

Brass microscope. It has a tube with an eyepiece and lens at each end, which slides vertically inside a fixed barrel. The tube has a rack mechanism that works with a screw in the barrel to slide the tube for macroscopic focus. It is held by a ring, supported by 3 curved pillars that sit on a round stage with a central hole, a slot for accessories used to hold samples in place, and 2 holes for magnifying glasses or clips. The stage is, in turn, supported on another plate held by 3 pillars with the same curved shape, which sit on top of the wooden base. Between these pillars is the concave mirror.

Robert Brettell Bate (1782–1847) was a banker's son born in Stourbridge (England) who was a successful scientific instrument maker. In 1807 he opened his first workshop in central London at No. 17 Poultry and gradually extended along the street to No. 20 and then, in 1824, to No. 21. As well as microscopes, he made telescopes, barometers, drawing instruments, sextants, and more.