Signed on the tube McAllister & Brother, Philadelphia, c. 1854
The microscope is
supplied with a triple button objective (divisible
for power change), another two component objective in a
long mount, two eyepieces, and a set of dissection
tools. In addition, there is a group of ten paper
covered slides by J. Bourgogne.
Microscope manufacturing
in America began near the end of the 2nd quarter of the
19th century. At mid century, very few American made
microscopes were produced. During that time, many of
the microscopes that were available in this country
were imported primarily from France and England. One of
the major importers were the members of
the McAllister family of opticians located in
initially in Philadelphia. The McAllister family was
involved in the instrument/optical trade since the late
18th century beginning with the business started
by John McAllister in Philadelphia (see: the Family Business Timeline also
The McAllister Family). The firm
used the name McAllister & Brother (William Y. and
Thomas H.), as signed ot the tube of this microscope,
during the period from 1853 through to the early
1860's. By 1853, the business was located at 728
Chestnut St., the address on the label attached on the
inside cover of the storage case. By 1856, the firm was located at 194 Chestnut St.
While this microscope is
signed by the US retailer, it is unsigned by the
actual manufacturer.
A very similar drum microscope signed Nachet
Opticien, rue Serpente 16, Paris is also in this
collection. it is very likely that the microscope shown
on this page was also made by Camille Sébastien Nachet (1799-1881). A
drum microscope, such as the two examples mentioned
here, having a column with a square cross section does
not appear in the 1856 or later Nachet catalogs
suggesting that these microscopes date prior to
1856. This is consistent with the address shown on the label attached to the case.