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Kruines Microscope
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20016
Mathias Kruines Microscope:
French ca. 1825-30. Unsigned, but clearly by Mathias Kruines (1770-1811). The Kruines family of Paris, France were scientific instrument makers working between ca.1801-1866. The business was started by Mathias Kruines in ca. 1801 on the Quai de l'Horloge in Paris. His shop addresses are recorded as numbering between 42 to 61 during 1805, and then at 21 in ca. 1850. After Mathias' death in 1811, the business was continued by his wife Marie-Madeleine Deffer Kruines until 1829. In 1829, the Almanach du Commerce de Paris listed the present owner as "Kruines fils" (i.e. Mathias's son Marie Francois Antoine Kruines; (1799-1866).). When Mathias's son Marie Francois Antoine passed away in 1866, the business was aquired by Eulalie and Marius Rambaud, and the firm then did business as Kruines-Rambaud. In the mid 1870's Severe Boissel purchased the stock of Kruines-Rambaud, and advertised himself as successor to Kruines-Rambaud (1).
Discussion:
The Kruines microscopes were similar to Dellabarre microscopes in their design and construction. The microscopes were offered in polished mahogany cases with characteristic, fitted interiors. This type of French fitted interior, usually in green leather, with metallic gold borders, is very diagnostic for Kruines microscopes, including unsigned examples. The example listed here is nearly identical in all respects to the one held in the Museo Di Storia Della Scienza, in Florence, Italy; Cf. its construction and the fitted interior of the case (2). Turner dates this model of the Kruines to ca. 1830, and notes that the microscope is "exactly similar" to one also held in the Albert Nachet Collection (3). It too is unsigned. The microscope featured here stands 39.1 cm tall when fully assembled. The optical tube is 14 cm long and composed of 3 lenses. The second lens is replacable with a higher power lens which is present in the sample box. The optical tube attaches to the limb by an exterior, threaded, balluster ring. Focusing is by a draw tube extension of the eye-piece and rack and pinion control of the stage movement. The microscope is outfitted with a variety of accessories including a stage mounted bulls-eye condensor, tweezers, sample knife, 5 ivory-sliders, 4 brass mounted numbered objectives (1-4), and an ivory-sample box. Condition: The condition of the microscope is very fine with near full lacquer coverage, having been protected in its original case over the years. There is some expected, age related delamination to the single, concave silvered mirror. The optics are clear without any noticable lens inclusions. The French polished mahogany case (32 X 19.5 X 9 cm) is complete with mortised lock and key. There is a small repair to the exterior corner of the case lid. Provenance: Luigi Nessi Collection Bibliography: 1. Stevenson, Brian; et.al.: [microscopist.net/kruines.html]. 2. Turner,Gerard L'E (1991) Museo Di Storia Della Scienza Catalogue of Microscopes; Florence, Italy; ISBN [88-09-20208-2] p. 15, Fig. 32. 3. Collection Nachet: Instruments Scientifiques et Livres Anciens (Paris 1929) no. 64.
The Kruines microscopes were similar to Dellabarre microscopes in their design and construction. The microscopes were offered in polished mahogany cases with characteristic, fitted interiors. This type of French fitted interior, usually in green leather, with metallic gold borders, is very diagnostic for Kruines microscopes, including unsigned examples. The example listed here is nearly identical in all respects to the one held in the Museo Di Storia Della Scienza, in Florence, Italy; Cf. its construction and the fitted interior of the case (2). Turner dates this model of the Kruines to ca. 1830, and notes that the microscope is "exactly similar" to one also held in the Albert Nachet Collection (3). It too is unsigned. The microscope featured here stands 39.1 cm tall when fully assembled. The optical tube is 14 cm long and composed of 3 lenses. The second lens is replacable with a higher power lens which is present in the sample box. The optical tube attaches to the limb by an exterior, threaded, balluster ring. Focusing is by a draw tube extension of the eye-piece and rack and pinion control of the stage movement. The microscope is outfitted with a variety of accessories including a stage mounted bulls-eye condensor, tweezers, sample knife, 5 ivory-sliders, 4 brass mounted numbered objectives (1-4), and an ivory-sample box. Condition: The condition of the microscope is very fine with near full lacquer coverage, having been protected in its original case over the years. There is some expected, age related delamination to the single, concave silvered mirror. The optics are clear without any noticable lens inclusions. The French polished mahogany case (32 X 19.5 X 9 cm) is complete with mortised lock and key. There is a small repair to the exterior corner of the case lid. Provenance: Luigi Nessi Collection Bibliography: 1. Stevenson, Brian; et.al.: [microscopist.net/kruines.html]. 2. Turner,Gerard L'E (1991) Museo Di Storia Della Scienza Catalogue of Microscopes; Florence, Italy; ISBN [88-09-20208-2] p. 15, Fig. 32. 3. Collection Nachet: Instruments Scientifiques et Livres Anciens (Paris 1929) no. 64.
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