This microscope is signed on the outer tube "Boston Optical Works, Tolles.
The serial number, 159, is stamped under the stage. This is an example of the
Tolles Student's Model microscope dating from the 1870s. In the excerpt from the
Boston Optical Works catalog shown below, it is evident that this model was sold
having different variations. The example shown here is the model with rack and
pinion main focus and stage fine focus. It is constructed in lacquered brass with
a cast iron jappaned base and limb. It measures about 15-inches tall in the inclined
position as shown in the photos. The microscope comes supplied with two eyepieces,
two Tolles objectives, and the wood (walnut?) storage case with drawer.
The following is from the
1883 catalog of the Boston Optical Works, Microscope and
Telescopes made by R.B. Tolles
TOLLES'S STUDENT'S MICROSCOPE
15 inches high, weight
6 pounds
This instrument,
designed under the advice of several of the
Professors of the Medical School of Harvard
College and other well-known Microscopists, is of the
pattern and size most approved by experts. The base,
uprights, and curved arm are of iron, handsomely
japanned; on a trunnion joint, made on a new plan to
wear well, by which the instrument can be placed in
any position, from vertical to horizontal, with a
stop to prevent movement in either direction beyond
these points. It is furnished with a l-inch
Eye-Piece, two second-quality Objectives, of about 1
inch and 1/4 inch power, giving about 80 and 350
diameters, a plain Stage with spring clips for
holding the object slides, revolving Diaphragm,
concave Mirror, with movement to give oblique
light for illumination of opaque objects, the
mirror is removed to an upright stand; course
adjustment for focus is effected by sliding the
compound body which is held in its place by a spring,
fine adjustment by a movable plate and screw on the
stage, which is efficient with high powers. The stand
is made with all the care bestowed on his first-class
instruments, and proves satisfactory for the use of
amateurs, students, and the ordinary work of the
medical profession. The workmanship is superior to
that of any instruments of the class made in Europe.
The form is the Jackson pattern recommended by Dr. W.
B. Carpenter as the one least liable to tremor, and
is the one most approved by all American
microscopists. Price, in an upright Black Walnut
case, $50. Stand and Case alone $28.
Variations and
Additions. - Extra Eye-Pieces, 2 in. 1 1/2 und 3/4.
$4 each; a superior Camera Lucida $5; Sub-Stage for
Accessory apparatus, $5; a Sliding Stage, giving
vertical and horizontal motions by the hand, and
adapted for the use of Mathwood Finder, $15. Fine
adjustment by lever and micrometer screw, $16. Rack
and Pinion for coarse adjustment, $12, drawtube, $4.
Plain Mirror, $3. Thin glass stage to rotate on the
optical axis, $10. The stand in all brass, $10. Any
of TolIes's first quality Objectives may be used on
this instrument, and can be added to order at list
prices. Packing Boxes for transportation, $1.
The following
was extracted from The National
Cyclopedia of American Biography, vol.
XIII, 1906
TOLLES.
Robert B , lensmaker, was born in
Winchester, Litchfield co., Conn., about
1825, son of Elisha and Harriet Tolles. His
father was an inventor, but from lack of
funds was unable to develop any of his ideas.
The son was educated in the common district
school and passed his boyhood at home and on
his grandfather's farm near by, working to
aid in supporting the family. In 1813 while
in Canastota, N. Y., he accidentally visited
the workshop of Charles A. Spencer, and soon
afterwards he entered the service of the
celebrated lensmaker as an apprentice. Under
the instruction and guidance of this
remarkable man young Tolles learned the
special business in which he displayed such
genius. In 1858 he started in business on his
own account in Canastota, removing to Boston,
Mass., nine years later, where he organized
the Boston Optical Works. He was affiliated
with this company the remainder of his life,
for the first four years as superintendent
and thereafter as sole proprietor. His one
aim in his business was the improvement of
the microscope, and his achievements in this
line prove that he was well qualified for the
task by his " great theoretical and practical
knowledge of the science of optics, united
with mechanical and inventive genius and
marvelous skill of eye and hand." While still
in the service of Mr. Spencer he devised a
cover correction for objectives, and invented
and patented a solid eye-piece. In 1858 he
made his first immersion objectives, and
objectives with two fronts one to be used as
an immersion and the other dry, and in 1866
he obtained a patent for a stereoscopic
binocular eye-piece. He invented many other
devices and appliances for the microscope, as
well as some telescopes remarkable for their
short focal length in proportion to the
diameter of object-glass and for their
defining and penetrating power. The great
step, however, which placed him, together
with Charles A. and Herbert R. Spencer, at
the head of his profession, was the
construction in 1873 of an immersion
one-tenth objective with an aperture greater
than that corresponding to infinitely near
180 degrees in air. It was a three system
lens which had an aperture of more than 110
degrees in balsam, or 1.25 N. A., and which
is said to have produced " a revolution of
opinion and practice among users and makers
of microscopes all over the world." At the
same time he also made his first lens of the
duplex front formula one-fifth inch glycerine
immersion of 110 degrees balsam angle. On
Aug. 10, 1883, he was elected an honorary
member of the American Society of
Microscopists. Notwithstanding his valuable
achievements, the last ten years of his life
were years of suffering and hardship; he
worked at his bench when he should have been
in his bed, denying himself all the luxuries
and many of the comforts of life. He greatly
suffered from a disease of the lungs which
was contracted at an early age and which
caused his death. During his last illness, he
had a microscope brought to his bedside and
there on his deathbed examined and tested the
lenses. Only a few minutes before his death
he was occupied in correcting the degrees of
aperture of an imaginary lens and when he
reached 150 degrees, he stopped, turned his
head and said faintly, "Goodbye. He was
married in 1853 to Freelove S. Dickey, but
was left a widower a few months later. He
died in Boston, Mass. Nov. 17, 1883.
For a
discussion of the life and work of Robert B.
Tolles see:
Three American Microscope
Builders published by the
American Optical Company 1945.