£600
AN OBERHAEUSER-PATTERN DRUM MICROSCOPE BY LEREBOURS ET SECRETAN, PARIS, CIRCA 1850
constructed in lacquered brass and signed on the support as per title, with draw-type focussing, sub-stage assembly, circuit stage, plano-concave mirror, prismatic attachment, contained in orginal wood case with a quantity of accessories -- 12¾in. (32cm.) wide
Christie's South Kensington, 28th May 1998, lot 119.
Dr. Mill notes:
Noel Lerebours founded his company in Paris in 1794; the firm became Lerebours & Secretan in 1845 and Secretan in 1853. This design, introduced by Oberhauser in 1835 was followed by several Parisian makers. It was often referred to as a 'Babushkina' microscope or Oberhauser Drum.
This example is equipped with an angle prism which sets the tube horizontal. A mirror type Camera lucida is fitted at the eyepiece to assist in drawing. This and the prism can be removed for normal upright operation. There are three oculars which are achromatic but pre-date the introduction of the standard RMS thread, and a single eyepiece designed to hold the Camera lucida. There is a small substage which is moved by a lever. It can carry one of two cylindrical stops.
Accessories include a mapping pen, probe, a white/black disc, a stage micrometer, stage forceps, trough, compressorium, mounted glass disc, and 10 small slides by Jo Bourgoyne. Also present in the velvet lined box were a Dancer microslide of Isambard Brunel at the Menai Bridge and a focussing eyepiece micrometer attachment. This does not fit and is probably by Nachet.
ref: Billings Collection (1974) p194
As viewed - appears to be in good condition. Some accessories/components may be missing.
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