A group of optical instruments
This group of instruments comprises a representative range of optical devices for recreation from the early 18th century. The pocket or 'screwbarrel' microscope [1] with its fish-skin case was probably made by James Wilson, and could have been used for viewing the specimen in the prepared slides [4]. The scioptric ball [2] was a device for projecting an outside scene on to the wall of a room, whereas the camera obscura [3] projected on to a viewing screen within the instrument. The two telescopes, in silver [5] and pasteboard [6] are for terrestrial use, not for astronomy.
Other narratives:
- Inventory no. 30819 - Former Display Label
- Orrery Collection: 1731 Inventory
- Orrery Collection in print
- Accession Record : Extract from Annual Report for 1925
- Former Display Label - The Orrery Collection of Scientific Instruments
- Former Display Label - The Principal Makers of Instruments in the Orrery Collection
Related Objects:
- Inventory No. 17260, "Screwbarrel Microscope, with Compass Microscope and Accessories, by James Wilson?, English, c. 1706" [1925-43], Wilson, James
- Inventory No. 78216, "Scioptric Ball or Sky Optick, English?, Early 18th Century" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 75945, "Camera Obscura, English, c. 1710" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 30819, "Set of Microscope Slides, by James Wilson?, English, c. 1704" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 14209, "Terrestial Refracting Telescope, English, c. 1725" [1925-43]
- Inventory No. 28955, "Perspective Glass Telescope, English, c. 1725" [1925-43]