
Jeroen Meeusen
A collection of 19th century Continental microscopes
and related items
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1812-4
Joseph Fraunhofer
zusammengesetztes Microscop, mit [...] vier achromatischen Objectiven [...] nebst Kästchen
Benediktbeuern, Germany
Very early example of Fraunhofer's box-mounted achromatic microscope, made between November 1812 and February 1814. Signed on the stage "Utzschneider, Reichenbach, Fraunhofer in Bendictbeurn [sic]".

1819-1822
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio a riflessione / microscopio catadiottrico
Modena, Italy
Reflecting or catadioptric microscope by Amici. Signed on the end of the tube: "Amici, Modena".

1824-5
Vincent Chevalier
microscope de Selligue
Paris, France
Selligue microscope by Vincent Chevalier, modernised by Hugh Powell in the early 1830s. Signed on the tube "Selon M[onsieu]r Selligue, par Vincent Chevalier ainé, Ing[énieu]r Opt[ici]en Breveté, quai de L'horloge № 69 à Paris."

circa 1826
Robert Aglaé Cauchoix
microscope de Selligue
Paris, France
Selligue microscope by Cauchoix. Signed on the tube "Cauchoix Opticien, à Paris."

end of 1830
Vincent & Charles Chevalier
microscope d'Amici
Paris, France
Horizontal microscope by Vincent & Charles Chevalier, in contemporary literature referred to as 'microscope d'Amici' (Amici type microscope). Signed on the tube "Vincent & C. Chevalier Ing[énieu]rs Opt[icie]ns, Quai de l'horloge № 69 à Paris" and on the tube cradle "CH. CHEVALIER, 154"

1830-43
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
a myriad of 'microscopes achromatiques réduits'
Paris, France
Signed: "Trécourt & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19, Paris".
In about 1830, Trécourt formed a partnership with Oberhaeuser (mechanic), Magnien and Bouquet (opticians) to make a cheap achromatic microscope. With great success: batch numbers on these microscopes are as high as 50, indicating that they were produced in large series.
In 1848, Oberhaeuser wrote to Pieter Harting: "if I ever rendered a service to science, it was by being the first to make cheap microscopes, so that scientists who are usually not rich can more easily open their wallet".

circa 1837
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscope à tourbillon
Paris, France
Signed on the drum base "Brevet d'Invention, Trécourt & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19 à Paris". Trécourt and Oberhaeuser took out a patent for this 'microscope à tourbillon' in 1837.

1837
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
demande de brevet d'invention
Paris, France
Patent application by Georges Oberhaeuser (Georg Oberhäuser) and Achille Trécourt for a "microscope achromatique vertical à miroir fixe avec platine à tourbillon...". Dated 17th August 1837.
In the margin of the first page of the patent application is written "Expédition". The example held by the Institut national de la propriété industrielle in Paris is marked on the very same location "Minute". It therefore appears that the present document was sent by the patent office to the applicants. Provenance: Nachet archives.

1837
Achille Trécourt & Georges - Georg - Oberhaeuser
brevet d'invention définitif
Paris, France
Final patent for a 5-year term, dated 13th October 1837.

1837-42
Achille Trécourt & Georges - Georg - Oberhaeuser
evolution of the 'microscope avec platine à tourbillon'
Paris, France
In chronological order from left to right. The first four are signed on the drum base "Brevet d'Invention, Trécourt & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19 à Paris". The fourth bears an additional signature by its retailer: "A. Abraham, Liverpool.". The last one is signed on the arm: "Trécourt, & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19 à Paris. Brevet d'Invention, Microscope, Platine à Tourbillon."

April 1840
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscope coudé / Körpermikroscop mit einer größerer Platte
Paris, France
Signed on the tube "Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19, à Paris". Comes with two letters from Oberhaeuser to Eduard Weber (1811-1871), who obtained in 1839 the degree of medical doctor in Heidelberg.
In the first letter of 9 April 1840, Oberhaeuser refers to this stand as "Körpermikroscop mit einer größerer Platte" (E: tubular microscope with a larger stage) or "microscope coudé" (E: horizontal microscope). In addition, Oberhaeuser writes "I still have some of the 12 camera lucida that I made at once". Contrary to an ordinary Oberhaeuser-type camera lucida, the example in this set comes with a protection cap that has no screw-end. This cap proves impractical and failed to protect the prism from damage.

1834-49
Charles Chevalier
microscope diamant
Paris, France
Charles Chevalier named this pocket-sized instrument 'microscope diamant', because of its "small size and magnificent effect". Signed on the tube "Charles Chevalier, Palais Royal 163, Paris".

circa 1841
Camille Nachet
en-tête rue Boucher
Paris, France
A poem written on a paper with a very early Nachet letterhead: "FABRIQUE DE LENTILLES ACHROMATIQUES, Camille NACHET, Opticien, № 1, Rue Boucher près le Pont Neuf." At the time, this address must have been at the corner of the rue Monnaie.

circa 1841
Charles Chevalier
Catalogue des instrumens construits par Charles Chevalier
Paris, France
Chevalier’s own in-house marked-up copy, interleaved and annotated. The majority of the annotations are in the hand of Charles Chevalier and relate to different suppliers (Pixii, Bourdon, Guillemain, Roget, Rouffet, Ruhmkorff, Marloye, Grau, Wauthier, Wiesnegg, ...) and their prices. Both title pages bear the signature "F. L. Chevalier 1878".

circa 1843
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscopes achromatiques réduits #644 & #656
Paris, France
These two small drum microscopes indicate that for some time Oberhaeuser was simultaneously selling microscopes under the name of his partnership with Trécourt and his name alone.
The microscope on the left is signed on the tube "Georges Oberhaeuser Place Dauphine, 19, Paris." and stamped on the base "644". The serial number 644 is also stamped onto the box.
The microscope on the right is signed on the base "TRÉCOURT ET GEORGES OBERHAEUSER, INGÉNIEURS BREVETÉS, PLACE DAUPHINE 19, PARIS. № 656".

1844
Alfred Nachet
La première enseigne de Nachet
Paris, France
Signboard used by Camille Nachet at the 1844 French Industrial Exhibition, made by his 13-year old son Alfred.
On the reverse side is written: "La première enseigne de Nachet à l'Exposition de 1844, Alfred Nachet fecit" (E: "The first signboard of Nachet at the 1844 exhibition, Alfred Nachet fecit".)

1844
Alfred Nachet
souvenirs du jeun âge
Paris, France
Micrographic drawings by the hand of the 13-year old Alfred Nachet, suggesting that he put to use his father's instruments.

circa 1845
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
midsize drum microscope
Paris, France
Midsize drum microscope signed on one side of the arm "Georges Oberhaeuser, Ingénieur, Opticien, breveté, Place Dauphine, 19, Paris." and on the other side "Microscope achromatique. Platine à tourbillon. Eclairage à rayons parallèles. Diaphragme à mouvement vertical.". Confusingly, the top of the round base is signed "№ 696", while the bottom of the base is marked in ink "№ 969.". The box is stamped "969".
The nameplate on top of the box is signed in Gothic script "Dr. G. Boudet.", probably added at a slightly later date. Most likely referring to Marie-Claude-Gabriel Boudet (1829-1913) who obtained in 1856 the degree of medical doctor in Paris and returned to his birthplace Limoges.

circa 1845
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
large drum microscope
Paris, France
Large drum microscope signed on one side of the arm "Georges Oberhaeuser." and on the other side "Place Dauphine, 19 à Paris.". The top of the round base is signed "№ 994" and the bottom of the base is marked in ink "№ 994". The box is stamped "994".
This microscope originates from the pharmacy of Edouard Mercier (c. 1845 – c. 1912) in Nantua (Ain), which was taken over in 1914 by Jules Carrier (1881-1958). A grandchild of the latter sold the present microscope to this collection. Edouard Mercier took over the pharmacy of his father Benjamin Mercier (1811-1868), who obtained in 1836 the degree of pharmacist in Lyon.

November 1845
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio eseguito per Lord Vernon dal Prof. Amici secondo il modello del Prof. Pacini di Pisa
Florence, Italy
Microscope designed by Filippo Pacini and manufactured by Amici for George John Warren Vernon (1803-1866). When visiting Amici's workshop in Florence, Lord Vernon noticed Pacini's microscope being constructed (at present in the Museo Galileo, Florence) and asked Amici to make a second example.

circa 1847
Camille Nachet
en-tête rue des Grands Augustins
Paris, France
Calculations for a prism on a paper with a Nachet letterhead: "FABRIQUE DE LENTILLES ACHROMATIQUES, et tout ce qui concerne l'Optique, NACHET Opticien, Rue des Grands Augustin, № 1, près le Pont-neuf." The prism was most likely intended for oblique illumination.

1847
Camille Nachet
un système d'éclairage oblique
Paris, France
Draft of a letter "Sur un système d'éclairage oblique applicable au microscope" by Camille Nachet to the French Academy of Sciences. The letter is reproduced in the proceedings of the Academy, session held on Monday 31 May 1847 (vol. 24, pp. 976-7).

1847-50
Camille Nachet
microscope simple à dissection ou à doublet
Paris, France
Simple dissecting microscope by Nachet. Signed: "NACHET, Opticien, rue des Grands Augustins N°1". This stand is described and illustrated by Charles Robin in his 1849 book 'Du microscope et des injections' (pl. II, fig. 2, p. 60): "The base described and illustrated here fulfils far more the preceding conditions [...] than stands mounted onto the box which have to contain them".

1845-55
Johann Joseph - Jean - Brunner
pocket, midsize and large microscope
Paris, France
The pocket microscope - mounted on top of its cylinder container - and the midsize model are both signed on the tube: "Brunner à Paris". The large model is signed on the tube: "Brunner, à Paris, 34, Rue des Bernardins".

end of 1850
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscope achromatique à miroir mobile
Paris, France
Large horseshoe base microscope. Signed on the arm "Georges Oberhaeuser" and "Place Dauphine, 19, Paris.". The tube is signed "№ 1879 breveté s[ans]. g[arantie].".
On 4 July 1849, Oberhaeuser requested a patent for a "microscope achromatique, à miroir mobile, donnant la lumière verticale et à toutes les obliquités, avec platine à mouvement circulaire fonctionnant sans déplacement de son axe optique", which he obtained on 17 September 1849.
According to Oberhaeuser, it was Abraham Abraham of Liverpool who brought "microscopes with mirrors outside of the optical axis" to his attention in 1846 and he "immediately started to make them". First described by Hugo von Mohl in his 1846 book 'Mikrographie' pp. 142-3.

circa 1850
Johann Theobald - Jean Thiébault - Silbermann
héliostat de Silbermann
Paris, France
Early Silbermann heliostat by Jules Duboscq. Signed on the drum: "J. T. Silbermann invtr. J. Duboscq - Soleil fecit. Paris, № 52" and on the clockwork: "PAUL GARNIER PARIS 2942".

1851-4
Camille Nachet
microscope à dissection de Lacaze-Duthiers
Paris, France
Dissecting microscope designed by Charles Robin with a tripod base conceived by Henri de Lacaze-Duthiers. Signed on the arm: "NACHET, Opticien, à Paris, Rue Serpente, 16". On pp. 68-9 of his 1849 book 'Du microscope et des injections' Robin observed: "As one of the arms of the [tripod] base is always directed towards the observer, it forces to lean forward to place the eye against the eyepiece, which renders it slightly more tiresome". The introduction of an inclined tube in the present microscope solved this problem. Prototype originating from the Nachet family.

1851-3
Camille Nachet
nouveau microscope grand modèle
Paris, France
Signed on the arm: "NACHET, Opticien, à Paris, rue Serpente, 16".
In 1850, Nachet constructed Pieter Harting’s "volledige verlichtingstoestel" (E: complete illuminating device), which included a mirror on an articulated arm and a moveable condenser carrier.
To implement Harting's substage illuminating device, Nachet introduced a new stand mounted on Roman pillars with a horseshoe foot. This design would become emblematic for Nachet and remain in use until well into the 1920s.
This prototype of the new large model differs from later examples by having a more complicated articulated arm holding the mirror and slightly different Roman pillars with a more elaborate base, including two toruses instead of one.

March 1852
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio commesso dal Conte di Rayneval ambasciatore di Francia in Roma
Florence, Italy
The microscope of Alphonse Gérard de Rayneval (1813-1858), French ambassador to the Vatican from 1850 to 1857.
In 1868, Socrate Cadet recalled that his 1854 microscopic observations on cholera were confirmed by "conte Alfonso di Rayneval in quel periodo ambasciadore di Francia presso la Sede Pontificia", to whom he referred as a "caldo coltivatore delle scienze naturali". It therefore appears that count de Rayneval put to use his microscope.

June 1853
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio per Signor Achille Brachet a Parigi
Florence, Italy
In 1852, the self-described "rentier, physicien et homme de lettres" Achille Brachet offered Amici no less than 2000 francs to make his best microscope ever. Amici eventually sold Brachet this 800 francs microscope with six series of phenomenal objectives.
Brachet - who modelled himself on Marin Mersenne - ended up 'stalking' Amici, sending him letters under false names, causing Amici to classify Brachet as a "pazzo" and "testa sconvolta". In 1856, Brachet published a booklet on this microscope, which Pieter Harting in 1858 rightfully described as "tamelijk zonderling" (E: quite odd).

1853-4
Camille Nachet
microscope grand modèle
Paris, France
Early example of Nachet's 'large model' microscope. The working instrument of Frederick William Pavy (1829-1911). Signed on the arm: "NACHET, Opticien, à Paris, rue Serpente, 16" and on the case: "Dr F. W. Pavy". In 1853, like many British medical men, Pavy went to study medicine in Paris and returned to London the following year. This microscope dates from exactly that period.

September 1857
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio piccolo commesso dal Sr Manganotti di Verona
Florence, Italy
Most likely the microscope ordered by Antonio Manganotti for an unidentified friend. It comes with three series of objectives, of which one is for water immersion. It was this type of crude and humble microscope that Amici brought with him when he visited the 1855 Paris Exhibition and introduced his water immersion objective to the world.

1857-60
Camille & Alfred Nachet
grand modèle perfectionné
Paris, France
Prototype of Nachet's 'large perfected model', most likely made for Frédéric Villot, curator of the Louvre Museum. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, Rue Serpente, 16, Paris". This prototype of the 'grand modèle perfectionné' includes quite a number of novelties, of which many did not survive in the production version. The coarse focusing is not by the usual rack and pinion, but by a chain winding round a spindle controlled by the wheels.

1860-2
Camille & Alfred Nachet
microscope grand modèle perfectionné
Paris, France
Early example of Nachet's 'large perfected model'. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, Rue Serpente, 16, Paris". Contrary to the prototype, in this production version the square vertical limb contains a rack and not a fusee chain. In addition, the body-tube arm and the tube can no longer be detached.

1858-63
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio tascabile
Florence, Italy
At the end of his life, Giovanni Battista Amici (1786-1863) started to manufacture this 'microscopio tascabile' (E: pocket microscope), hoping that "a portable microscope, with a volume as reduced as possible, with sufficient optical force, accessible to those with limited funds and made popular, would render useful services, especially in medicine and the natural sciences". Thirty years earlier, Georges Oberhaeuser combined the very same ingredients (drum stand and good optics) when he introduced his 'microscope achromatique réduit'. However, when compared to Oberhaeuser's small drum microscope, Amici's pocket microscope is just half in size (13 cm).
The present example comes with a box in the form of a coffin.

circa 1862
Filippo Pacini
portrait photo dedicated to Mr. Nachet
Florence, Italy
Portait photograph of Filippo Pacini by Anton Hautmann & Co. Signed and dedicated to Mr. Nachet.

June 1865
Frédéric Villot
predecessor of Abbe condenser
Paris, France
Clockwise: Letter dated 12 June 1865 by Frédéric Villot to Henri van Heurck in which is written: "Do you know the excentric condenser of Nachet? The first that he made (6 or 8 years ago) was for me and in the meantime he has made others."
Additional letter of Villot to Van Heurck, dated 27 June 1865, in which Villot writes: "I only got my excentric illumination back yesterday. You will find enclosed the drawing and the dimensions. The latter are exact."
Villot's drawing of Nachet's substage condenser for oblique illumination. Van Heurck explicitly refers to this drawing on page 78 of his 1891 book 'Le Microscope' (p. 80 in 1893 English edition).
Envelope marked in Alfred Nachet's handwriting: "First condenser of Mr. Villot, very important document, to be kept (well before Abbe condenser)".

1867
Adam Prazmowski
demande de résidence permanente
Paris, France
Draft of Adam Prazmowski's 1867 application for permanent residence in France.
Prazmowski's entrance card for the 1867 Universal Exhibition in Paris that identifies him as an agent for Mr. Hartnack.
Circa 1867 portrait photos of Adam Prazmowski.

November 1863
Carl Zeiss
Stativ Ib. Grösseres zusammengesetztes Mikroskop
Jena, Germany
Early Zeiss microscope modelled after Oberhaeuser's horseshoe model. Signed on the arm "N. 155. Carl Zeiss Jena.". While manufactured in November 1863, it was only three years later, on 4 October 1866, that this microscope was supplied to the Belgian biologist Jean Baptiste Carnoy (1836-1899) in Tournai. Carnoy studied in Jena and came in touch with Zeiss.
It was only as late as in 1857 that Zeiss started to make compound microscopes.

circa 1875
Camille & Alfred Nachet
binocular mineralogical microscope
Paris, France
At first sight an ordinary binocular microscope by Nachet, but in reality it is a mineralogical microscope. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris" and "GEOL. DEPT. U.C.D. DUBLIN 23". The vertical tube has a slot at its lower end allowing the introduction of an analyser. When of no use, the analyser in the vertical tube no longer had to be removed, thanks to the presence of a second inclined tube. In addition, the microscope comes with a rotating graduated stage suited for mineralogical research.

circa 1877
Camille & Alfred Nachet
microscope pour l'étude des roches
Paris, France
Circa 1877 petrological microscope by Nachet. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris". The analyser was placed at the lower end of the internal tube and difficult to remove. Just above the objective, one finds an intriguing revolver holding different Bertrand lenses, allowing the use of convergent light.

circa 1879
Camille & Alfred Nachet
microscope pour l'étude des roches
Paris, France
Circa 1879 petrological microscope by Nachet. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris". This model represents a slightly improved design allowing the analyser to be freely removed from the tube. An absolutely identical instrument was used by the famous mineralogist Evgraf Stepanovich Fedorov and is depicted in his 1893 work 'Теодолитный метод в минералогии и петрографии' (Theodolite method in mineralogy and petrology).

1880-90
Alfred Nachet
microscope moyen modèle de minéralogie et pétrographie
Paris, France
An early mid-size mineralogical microscope by Nachet. Signed on the base: "NACHET, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris" and in the same script "Fac[ulté] des Sciences, Lab[oratoire] de Minéralogie, Lyon".

1883
Adam Prazmowski
affaire Prazmowski
Paris, France
Clockwise: Letter dated 7 October 1883 of Adam Prazmowski to Alfred Nachet, regarding the sale of his company. Included is a list of sales figures of the last five years.
Second letter dated 1 December 1883 to Nachet, in a different handwriting but signed by Prazmowski.
Envelope with the title "affaire Prazmowski" and the words "to be placed in the rue Saint Séverin archives".
Circa 1883 (auto)biographic manuscript of Adam Prazmoswki.
Circa 1883 portrait photos of Prazmowski.

1896
Bézu, Hausser & Cie
Liquidation de la société Bézu, Hausser & Cie
Paris, France
Clockwise: Act of sale between Bézu, Hausser et compagnie and Alfred Nachet of the optical firm "Ancienne maison Hartnack et Prazmowski", dated 9 April 1896. The selling price was 25 000 francs.
Turnover of the Bézu & Hausser company after the takeover by Nachet, between 9 April 1896 and 31 December 1896, including a list of debtors.
Receipt for purchase, dated 3 December 1897.

date unknown, prob. 1901-2
Alfred Nachet
mémorandum
Paris, France
Notes written by Alfred Nachet concerning his father Camille, stating: "Mr. Nachet père après avoir fabriqué pendant cinq six ans les objectifs lentilles à microscopes pour M. Ch. Chevalier avec lequel il était lié d'amitié s'établit en 1840 [...]". (E: "Mr. Nachet father, after having produced during five six years objectives lenses for microscopes for Mr. Ch. Chevalier to whom he was befriended, established himself in 1840 [...]".)
In 1929, when reproducing these notes in his catalogue 'Collection Nachet', Alfred's son Albert replaced Charles Chevalier with Vincent Chevalier.

1901-2
Albert Nachet
historique de la maison Nachet
Paris, France
History of the Nachet company written by Albert Nachet in ink, corrections in pencil by Alfred Nachet.
These notes were reproduced in the 1901-1902 catalogue 'L'industrie française des instruments de précision' published by the French 'Syndicat des constructeurs en instruments d'optique & de précision' (p. 172), unfortunately without the corrections.

1812-4
Joseph Fraunhofer
zusammengesetztes Microscop, mit [...] vier achromatischen Objectiven [...] nebst Kästchen
Benediktbeuern, Germany
Very early example of Fraunhofer's box-mounted achromatic microscope, made between November 1812 and February 1814. Signed on the stage "Utzschneider, Reichenbach, Fraunhofer in Bendictbeurn [sic]".

1819-1822
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio a riflessione / microscopio catadiottrico
Modena, Italy
Reflecting or catadioptric microscope by Amici. Signed on the end of the tube: "Amici, Modena".

1824-5
Vincent Chevalier
microscope de Selligue
Paris, France
Selligue microscope by Vincent Chevalier, modernised by Hugh Powell in the early 1830s. Signed on the tube "Selon M[onsieu]r Selligue, par Vincent Chevalier ainé, Ing[énieu]r Opt[ici]en Breveté, quai de L'horloge № 69 à Paris."

circa 1826
Robert Aglaé Cauchoix
microscope de Selligue
Paris, France
Selligue microscope by Cauchoix. Signed on the tube "Cauchoix Opticien, à Paris."

end of 1830
Vincent & Charles Chevalier
microscope d'Amici
Paris, France
Horizontal microscope by Vincent & Charles Chevalier, in contemporary literature referred to as 'microscope d'Amici' (Amici type microscope). Signed on the tube "Vincent & C. Chevalier Ing[énieu]rs Opt[icie]ns, Quai de l'horloge № 69 à Paris" and on the tube cradle "CH. CHEVALIER, 154"

1830-43
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
a myriad of 'microscopes achromatiques réduits'
Paris, France
Signed: "Trécourt & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19, Paris".
In about 1830, Trécourt formed a partnership with Oberhaeuser (mechanic), Magnien and Bouquet (opticians) to make a cheap achromatic microscope. With great success: batch numbers on these microscopes are as high as 50, indicating that they were produced in large series.
In 1848, Oberhaeuser wrote to Pieter Harting: "if I ever rendered a service to science, it was by being the first to make cheap microscopes, so that scientists who are usually not rich can more easily open their wallet".

circa 1837
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscope avec platine à tourbillon
Paris, France
Signed on the drum base "Brevet d'Invention, Trécourt & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19 à Paris". Trécourt and Oberhaeuser took out a patent for this 'microscope avec platine à tourbillon' in 1837.

August 1837
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
demande de brevet d'invention
Paris, France
Patent application by Georges Oberhaeuser (Georg Oberhäuser) and Achille Trécourt for a "microscope achromatique vertical à miroir fixe avec platine à tourbillon...". Dated 17th August 1837.
In the margin of the first page of the patent application is written "Expédition". The example held by the Institut national de la propriété industrielle in Paris is marked on the very same location "Minute". It therefore appears that the present document was sent by the patent office to the applicants. Provenance: Nachet archives.

October 1837
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
brevet d'invention définitif
Paris, France
Final patent for a 5-year term, dated 13th October 1837.

1837-42
Achille Trécourt & Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
evolution of the 'microscope avec platine à tourbillon'
Paris, France
In chronological order from left to right. The first four are signed on the drum base "Brevet d'Invention, Trécourt & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19 à Paris". The fourth bears an additional signature by its retailer: "A. Abraham, Liverpool.". The last one is signed on the arm: "Trécourt, & Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19 à Paris. Brevet d'Invention, Microscope, Platine à Tourbillon.".

April 1840
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscope coudé / Körpermikroscop mit einer größerer Platte
Paris, France
Signed on the tube "Georges Oberhaeuser, Place Dauphine № 19, à Paris". Comes with two letters from Oberhaeuser to Eduard Weber (1811-1871), who obtained in 1839 the degree of medical doctor in Heidelberg.
In the first letter of 9 April 1840, Oberhaeuser refers to this stand as "Körpermikroscop mit einer größerer Platte" (E: tubular microscope with a larger stage) or "microscope coudé" (E: horizontal microscope). In addition, Oberhaeuser writes "I still have some of the 12 camera lucida that I made at once". Contrary to an ordinary Oberhaeuser-type camera lucida, the example in this set comes with a protection cap that has no screw-end. This cap proves impractical and failed to protect the prism from damage.

1834-49
Charles Chevalier
microscope diamant
Paris, France
Charles Chevalier named this pocket-sized instrument 'microscope diamant', because of its "small size and magnificent effect". Signed on the tube "Charles Chevalier, Palais Royal 163, Paris".

circa 1841
Camille Nachet
en-tête rue Boucher
Paris, France
A poem written on a paper with a very early Nachet letterhead: "FABRIQUE DE LENTILLES ACHROMATIQUES, Camille NACHET, Opticien, № 1, Rue Boucher près le Pont Neuf." At the time, this address must have been at the corner of the rue Monnaie.

1842
Charles Chevalier
Catalogue des instrumens construits par Charles Chevalier
Paris, France
Chevalier’s own in-house marked-up copy, interleaved and annotated. The majority of the annotations are in the hand of Charles Chevalier and relate to different suppliers (Pixii, Bourdon, Guillemain, Roget, Rouffet, Ruhmkorff, Marloye, Grau, Wauthier, Wiesnegg, ...) and their prices. Both title pages bear the signature "F. L. Chevalier 1878".

circa 1843
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscopes achromatiques réduits #644 & #656
Paris, France
These two small drum microscopes indicate that for some time Oberhaeuser was simultaneously selling microscopes under the name of his partnership with Trécourt and his name alone.
The microscope on the left is signed on the tube "Georges Oberhaeuser Place Dauphine, 19, Paris." and stamped on the base "644". The serial number 644 is also stamped onto the box.
The microscope on the right is signed on the base "TRÉCOURT ET GEORGES OBERHAEUSER, INGÉNIEURS BREVETÉS, PLACE DAUPHINE 19, PARIS. № 656".

1844
Alfred Nachet
La première enseigne de Nachet
Paris, France
Signboard used by Camille Nachet at the 1844 French Industrial Exhibition, made by his 13-year old son Alfred.
On the reverse side is written: "La première enseigne de Nachet à l'Exposition de 1844, Alfred Nachet fecit" (E: "The first signboard of Nachet at the 1844 exhibition, Alfred Nachet fecit".)

1844
Alfred Nachet
souvenirs du jeun âge
Paris, France
Micrographic drawings by the hand of the 13-year old Alfred Nachet, suggesting that he put to use his father's instruments.

circa 1845
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
midsize drum microscope
Paris, France
Midsize drum microscope signed on one side of the arm "Georges Oberhaeuser, Ingénieur, Opticien, breveté, Place Dauphine, 19, Paris." and on the other side "Microscope achromatique. Platine à tourbillon. Eclairage à rayons parallèles. Diaphragme à mouvement vertical.". Confusingly, the top of the round base is signed "№ 696", while the bottom of the base is marked in ink "№ 969.". The box is stamped "969".
The nameplate on top of the box is signed in Gothic script "Dr. G. Boudet.", probably added at a slightly later date. Most likely referring to Marie-Claude-Gabriel Boudet (1829-1913) who obtained in 1856 the degree of medical doctor in Paris and returned to his birthplace Limoges.

circa 1845
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
large drum microscope
Paris, France
Large drum microscope signed on one side of the arm "Georges Oberhaeuser." and on the other side "Place Dauphine, 19 à Paris.". The top of the round base is signed "№ 994" and the bottom of the base is marked in ink "№ 994". The box is stamped "994".
This microscope originates from the pharmacy of Edouard Mercier (c. 1845 – c. 1912) in Nantua (Ain), which was taken over in 1914 by Jules Carrier (1881-1958). A grandchild of the latter sold the present microscope to this collection. Edouard Mercier took over the pharmacy of his father Benjamin Mercier (1811-1868), who obtained in 1836 the degree of pharmacist in Lyon.

November 1845
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio eseguito per Lord Vernon dal Prof. Amici secondo il modello del Prof. Pacini di Pisa
Florence, Italy
Microscope designed by Filippo Pacini and manufactured by Amici for George John Warren Vernon (1803-1866). When visiting Amici's workshop in Florence, Lord Vernon noticed Pacini's microscope being constructed (at present in the Museo Galileo, Florence) and asked Amici to make a second example.

circa 1847
Camille Nachet
en-tête rue des Grands Augustins
Paris, France
Calculations for a prism on a paper with a Nachet letterhead: "FABRIQUE DE LENTILLES ACHROMATIQUES, et tout ce qui concerne l'Optique, NACHET Opticien, Rue des Grands Augustin, № 1, près le Pont-neuf." The prism was most likely intended for oblique illumination.

1847
Camille Nachet
un système d'éclairage oblique
Paris, France
Draft of a letter "Sur un système d'éclairage oblique applicable au microscope" by Camille Nachet to the French Academy of Sciences. The letter is reproduced in the proceedings of the Academy, session held on Monday 31 May 1847 (vol. 24, pp. 976-7).

1847-50
Camille Nachet
microscope simple à dissection ou à doublet
Paris, France
Simple dissecting microscope by Nachet. Signed: "NACHET, Opticien, rue des Grands Augustins N°1". This stand is described and illustrated by Charles Robin in his 1849 book 'Du microscope et des injections' (pl. II, fig. 2, p. 60): "The base described and illustrated here fulfils far more the preceding conditions [...] than stands mounted onto the box which have to contain them".

1845-55
Johann Joseph - Jean - Brunner
pocket, midsize and large microscope
Paris, France
The pocket microscope - mounted on top of its cylinder container - and the midsize model are both signed on the tube: "Brunner à Paris". The large model is signed on the tube: "Brunner, à Paris, 34, Rue des Bernardins".

end of 1850
Georg - Georges - Oberhaeuser
microscope achromatique à miroir mobile
Paris, France
Large horseshoe base microscope. Signed on the arm "Georges Oberhaeuser" and "Place Dauphine, 19, Paris.". The tube is signed "№ 1879 breveté s[ans]. g[arantie].".
On 4 July 1849, Oberhaeuser requested a patent for a "microscope achromatique, à miroir mobile, donnant la lumière verticale et à toutes les obliquités, avec platine à mouvement circulaire fonctionnant sans déplacement de son axe optique", which he obtained on 17 September 1849.
According to Oberhaeuser, it was Abraham Abraham of Liverpool who brought "microscopes with mirrors outside of the optical axis" to his attention in 1846 and he "immediately started to make them". First described by Hugo von Mohl in his 1846 book 'Mikrographie' pp. 142-3.

circa 1850
Johann Theobald - Jean Thiébault - Silbermann
héliostat de Silbermann
Paris, France
Early Silbermann heliostat by Jules Duboscq. Signed on the drum: "J. T. Silbermann invtr. J. Duboscq - Soleil fecit. Paris, № 52" and on the clockwork: "PAUL GARNIER PARIS 2942".

1851-4
Camille Nachet
microscope à dissection de Lacaze-Duthiers
Paris, France
Dissecting microscope designed by Charles Robin with a tripod base conceived by Henri de Lacaze-Duthiers. Signed on the arm: "NACHET, Opticien, à Paris, Rue Serpente, 16". On pp. 68-9 of his 1849 book 'Du microscope et des injections' Robin observed: "As one of the arms of the [tripod] base is always directed towards the observer, it forces to lean forward to place the eye against the eyepiece, which renders it slightly more tiresome". The introduction of an inclined tube in the present microscope solved this problem. Prototype originating from the Nachet family.

1851-3
Camille Nachet
nouveau microscope grand modèle
Paris, France
Signed on the arm: "NACHET, Opticien, à Paris, rue Serpente, 16".
In 1850, Nachet constructed Pieter Harting’s "volledige verlichtingstoestel" (E: complete illuminating device), which included a mirror on an articulated arm and a moveable condenser carrier.
To implement Harting's substage illuminating device, Nachet introduced a new stand mounted on Roman pillars with a horseshoe foot. This design would become emblematic for Nachet and remain in use until well into the 1920s.
This prototype of the new large model differs from later examples by having a more complicated articulated arm holding the mirror and slightly different Roman pillars with a more elaborate base, including two toruses instead of one.

March 1852
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio commesso dal Conte di Rayneval ambasciatore di Francia in Roma
Florence, Italy
The microscope of Alphonse Gérard de Rayneval (1813-1858), French ambassador to the Vatican from 1850 to 1857.
In 1868, Socrate Cadet recalled that his 1854 microscopic observations on cholera were confirmed by "conte Alfonso di Rayneval in quel periodo ambasciadore di Francia presso la Sede Pontificia", to whom he referred as a "caldo coltivatore delle scienze naturali". It therefore appears that Rayneval put to use his microscope.

June 1853
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio per Signor Achille Brachet a Parigi
Florence, Italy
In 1852, the self-described "rentier, physicien et homme de lettres" Achille Brachet offered Amici no less than 2000 francs to make his best microscope ever. Amici eventually sold Brachet this 800 francs microscope with six series of phenomenal objectives.
Brachet - who modelled himself on Marin Mersenne - ended up 'stalking' Amici, sending him letters under false names, causing Amici to classify Brachet as a "pazzo" and "testa sconvolta". In 1856, Brachet published a booklet on this microscope, which Pieter Harting in 1858 rightfully described as "tamelijk zonderling" (E: quite odd).

1853-4
Camille Nachet
microscope grand modèle
Paris, France
Early example of Nachet's 'large model' microscope. The working instrument of Frederick William Pavy (1829-1911). Signed on the arm: "NACHET, Opticien, à Paris, rue Serpente, 16" and on the case: "Dr F. W. Pavy". In 1853, like many British medical men, Pavy went to study medicine in Paris and returned to London the following year. This microscope dates from exactly that period.

September 1857
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio piccolo commesso dal Sr Manganotti di Verona
Florence, Italy
Most likely the microscope ordered by Antonio Manganotti for an unidentified friend. It comes with three series of objectives, of which one is for water immersion. It was this type of crude and humble microscope that Amici brought with him when he visited the 1855 Paris Exhibition and introduced his water immersion objective to the world.

1857-60
Camille & Alfred Nachet
microscope grand modèle perfectionné
Paris, France
Prototype of Nachet's 'large perfected model', most likely made for Frédéric Villot, curator of the Louvre Museum. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, Rue Serpente, 16, Paris". This prototype of the 'grand modèle perfectionné' includes quite a number of novelties, of which many did not survive in the production version. The coarse focusing is not by the usual rack and pinion, but by a chain winding round a spindle controlled by the wheels.

1860-2
Camille & Alfred Nachet
microscope grand modèle perfectionné
Paris, France
Early example of Nachet's 'large perfected model'. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, Rue Serpente, 16, Paris". Contrary to the prototype, in this production version the square vertical limb contains a rack and not a fusee chain. In addition, the body-tube arm and the tube can no longer be detached.

1858-63
Giovanni Battista Amici
microscopio tascabile
Florence, Italy
At the end of his life, Giovanni Battista Amici (1786-1863) started to manufacture this 'microscopio tascabile' (E: pocket microscope), hoping that "a portable microscope, with a volume as reduced as possible, with sufficient optical force, accessible to those with limited funds and made popular, would render useful services, especially in medicine and the natural sciences". Thirty years earlier, Georges Oberhaeuser combined the very same ingredients (drum stand and good optics) when he introduced his 'microscope achromatique réduit'. However, when compared to Oberhaeuser's small drum microscope, Amici's pocket microscope is just half in size (13 cm).
The present example comes with a box in the form of a coffin.

circa 1862
Filippo Pacini
portrait photo dedicated to Mr. Nachet
Florence, Italy
Portait photograph of Filippo Pacini by Anton Hautmann & Co. Signed and dedicated to Mr. Nachet.

June 1865
Frédéric Villot
predecessor of Abbe condenser
Paris, France
From left to right: Letter dated 12 June 1865 by Frédéric Villot to Henri van Heurck in which is written: "Do you know the excentric condenser of Nachet? The first that he made (6 or 8 years ago) was for me and in the meantime he has made others."
Additional letter of Villot to Van Heurck, dated 27 June 1865, in which Villot writes: "I only got my excentric illumination back yesterday. You will find enclosed the drawing and the dimensions. The latter are exact."
Villot's drawing of Nachet's substage condenser for oblique illumination. Van Heurck explicitly refers to this drawing on page 78 of his 1891 book 'Le Microscope' (p. 80 in 1893 English edition).
Envelope marked in Alfred Nachet's handwriting: "First condenser of Mr. Villot, very important document, to be kept (well before Abbe condenser)".

1867
Adam Prazmowski
demande de résidence permanente
Paris, France
Draft of Adam Prazmowski's 1867 application for permanent residence in France.
Prazmowski's entrance card for the 1867 Universal Exhibition in Paris that identifies him as an agent for Mr. Hartnack.
Circa 1867 portrait photos of Adam Prazmowski.

November 1863
Carl Zeiss
Stativ Ib. Grösseres zusammengesetztes Mikroskop
Jena, Germany
Early Zeiss microscope modelled after Oberhaeuser's horseshoe model. Signed on the arm "N. 155. Carl Zeiss Jena.". While manufactured in November 1863, it was only three years later, on 4 October 1866, that this microscope was supplied to the Belgian biologist Jean Baptiste Carnoy (1836-1899) in Tournai. Carnoy studied in Jena and came in touch with Zeiss.
It was only as late as in 1857 that Zeiss started to make compound microscopes.

circa 1875
Camille & Alfred Nachet
binocular mineralogical microscope
Paris, France
At first sight an ordinary binocular microscope by Nachet, but in reality it is a mineralogical microscope. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris" and "GEOL. DEPT. U.C.D. DUBLIN 23". The vertical tube has a slot at its lower end allowing the introduction of an analyser. When of no use, the analyser in the vertical tube no longer had to be removed, thanks to the presence of a second inclined tube. In addition, the microscope comes with a rotating graduated stage suited for mineralogical research.

circa 1877
Camille & Alfred Nachet
microscope pour l'étude des roches
Paris, France
Circa 1877 mineralogical microscope by Nachet. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris". The analyser was placed at the lower end of the internal tube and difficult to remove. Just above the objective, one finds an intriguing revolver holding different Bertrand lenses, allowing the use of convergent light.

circa 1879
Camille & Alfred Nachet
microscope pour l'étude des roches
Paris, France
Circa 1879 mineralogical microscope by Nachet. Signed on the base: "NACHET ET FILS, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris". This model represents a slightly improved design allowing the analyser to be freely removed from the tube. An absolutely identical instrument was used by the famous mineralogist Evgraf Stepanovich Fedorov and is depicted in his 1893 work 'Теодолитный метод в минералогии и петрографии' (Theodolite method in mineralogy and petrology).

1880-90
Alfred Nachet
microscope moyen modèle de minéralogie et pétrographie
Paris, France
An early mid-size mineralogical microscope by Nachet. Signed on the base: "NACHET, 17, rue S[ain]t Séverin, Paris" and in the same script "Fac[ulté] des Sciences, Lab[oratoire] de Minéralogie, Lyon".

1883
Adam Prazmowski
affaire Prazmowski
Paris, France
Clockwise: Letter dated 7 October 1883 of Adam Prazmowski to Alfred Nachet, regarding the sale of his company. Included is a list of sales figures of the last five years.
Second letter dated 1 December 1883 to Nachet, in a different handwriting but signed by Prazmowski.
Envelope with the title "affaire Prazmowski" and the words "to be placed in the rue Saint Séverin archives".
Circa 1883 (auto)biographic manuscript of Adam Prazmoswki.
Circa 1883 portrait photos of Prazmowski.

1896
Bézu, Hausser & Cie
Liquidation de la société Bézu, Hausser & Cie
Paris, France
Clockwise: Act of sale between Bézu, Hausser et compagnie and Alfred Nachet of the optical firm "Ancienne maison Hartnack et Prazmowski", dated 9 April 1896. The selling price was 25 000 francs.
Turnover of the Bézu & Hausser company after the takeover by Nachet, between 9 April 1896 and 31 December 1896, including a list of debtors.
Receipt for purchase, dated 3 December 1897.

date unknown, prob. 1901-2
Alfred Nachet
mémorandum
Paris, France
Notes written by Alfred Nachet concerning his father Camille, stating: "Mr. Nachet père après avoir fabriqué pendant cinq six ans les objectifs lentilles à microscopes pour M. Ch. Chevalier avec lequel il était lié d'amitié s'établit en 1840 [...]". (E: "Mr. Nachet father, after having produced during five six years objectives lenses for microscopes for Mr. Ch. Chevalier to whom he was befriended, established himself in 1840 [...]".)
In 1929, when reproducing these notes in his catalogue 'Collection Nachet', Alfred's son Albert replaced Charles Chevalier with Vincent Chevalier.

1901-2
Albert Nachet
historique de la maison Nachet
Paris, France
History of the Nachet company written by Albert Nachet in ink, corrections in pencil by Alfred Nachet.
These notes were reproduced in the 1901-1902 catalogue 'L'industrie française des instruments de précision' published by the French 'Syndicat des constructeurs en instruments d'optique & de précision' (p. 172), unfortunately without the corrections.