Index

Microscope Arthur Chevalier (c.1870)

Arthur Chevalier was the son of Charles Chevalier and the grandson of Vincent Chevalier, two renowned French opticians and microscope builders from the early 19th century. In 1849 Charles separated from his father and created his own company at 158 Rue Palais Royal in Paris, which his son Arthur would later inherit on the death of the first in 1859. When Arthur inherited the company, it was already in crisis. and he is not in good health, so the firm is losing relevance and imitating Nachet's models, which at that time became the undisputed leader in the manufacture of microscopes in France. With the death of Arthur in 1874, a saga that had begun at the end of the 18th century ends.

Solid bronze and brass microscope built by Arthur Chevalier around 1870 in Paris. The microscope is complete with 3 objectives and 3 original eyepieces, a magnifying glass stand, camera lucida and micrometer, all in good condition. The viewing platform is rotating, something unusual in microscopes of the time. The focus system is simple, by displacement of the main tube and has a fine adjustment mechanism on the pillar. Under the platform there is a light regulating mechanism. The base is extraordinarily heavy, giving great stability to the observations. The mahogany box is also well preserved, retaining the original lock but not the key.

References: Harald Moe, "The Story of the Microscopes" pag 198-199

G. Turner, "Great Age of the Microscope", pag 207, Fig 213-214

G. Turner, Collecting Microscopes, pag 80

Links: http://golubcollection.berkeley.edu/19th/313.html

www.lecompendium.com/dossier_optique_80_microscope_arthur_chevalier/microscope_arthur_chevalier.htm