拍品 300
300
J. SIMMONS, London

细节
J. SIMMONS, London
A lacquered-brass compound microscope, the shaped body-tube with a bioconvex lens, two planoconvex lenses and a bioconvex field lens, connected to limb by bracket, the limb with cruciform stage signed J. Simons Invt. et Fecit, with slot and peg socket, with rackwork focusing and mirror on sliding collar, mounted by universal joint to tapering pillar support to folding flat tripod legs -- 23in.(59cm.)high, with accessories including bench condenser on folding, flat tripod legs with candle holder, stage condenser and forceps, fish-plate, six objectives numbered 1-6, high-powered objective, lieberkuhn with lens, glass phial, cell bracket and additional stage with springs and adjustable condenser and smaller stage attachment, and a quantity of later slides, all contained in a later mahogany case with twin drawers and inset handle, on bun feet, late 18th century, the case circa 1830

See colour plate
出版
Crawforth, M. A., "Evidence from Trade Cards", in Annals of Science, 42 (1985).
更多详情
END OF SALE

The next sale of Scientific and Medical Instruments will be on 17 November 1994.
For further information or a free brochure on Scientific Instrument sales at Christie's please contact
George Glastris on 071-321-3139

拍品专文

James Simons (fl. 1774-93) described himself as a mathematical, philosophical and optical instrument maker. His shop was at the sign of Sir Isaac Newton's Head, Marylebone Street, London.

This massive instrument is idiosyncratic in design, showing elements as it does of standard 18th century microscopes and the early 19th century attempts to improve the optical tube. There are many novel features, including the high-powered objective which is unusual for this date, the candle-holder and the extra stages, which may be the invention Simons claims in his signature. In this instrument Simons is doing his best to enhance the illumination at the specimen, attempted at both sides through the focusing condenser and the improved eyepiece.

Instruments by Simons are rare; examples are an electrical machine, a circular protractor and a microscope similar to this example. A theodolite by Simons was sold in these rooms on 3 March 1994, lot 301.