Excerpt from the
Pocket Catalogue of Microscopes, Magnifiers,
Microscopical Accessories, Mounting Materials,
etc., James W. Queen & Co., 1892
THE ACME No. 5
MICROSCOPE
Is an instrument of
thorough construction, with adjustments smooth and
perfect in action, the lenses being of especial
excellence and clearness of definition.
We recommend this
microscope as an efficient instrument for general
school use, in showing the tissues of plants,
circulation of blood, and multitudes of other
interesting objects.
Simplicity, strength,
and solidity, with low cost, are especially claimed
for this microscope. The base is a heavy tripod, so
proportioned that the microscope is very firm whether
vertical or inclined. A revolving diaphragm and large
concave mirror with complete motions, are mounted
beneath the stage. For additional illumination of
opaque objects, the mirror may be swung above the
stage.
By means of the draw
tube, the full English tube-length of ten inches may
be obtained.
The plan of
constructing the fine adjustment has the following
invaluable features which especially fit it for
classwork in laboratories of high schools and
colleges:
First (and
principally). Perfection of action; the upper plate
carrying the object must respond instantly to the
movement of the screw, upward by positive action,
downward by the spring of the plate; and without any
lateral or side motion; these, of course, are the
essential features of a good fine adjustment.
Second (and important).
This perfect action will continue as at first; as
there are no joints to wear loose or become strained,
there can be developed no lost motion nor lateral
;motion, by wear or rough handling, all excepting the
screw being made practically one solid piece.
The Acme line of
microscopes was first introduced in 1879 by the firm
Sidle and Poalk of Philadelphia. The first microscope
made by the firm was called "The Acme",
an example of which with serial number 17 can be
found on this website. By 1880, the firm was
located in Lancaster Pennsylvania under the name John
W. Sidle & Co. or the "Acme Optical Works".
Subsequently, the entire output of the Acme factory
was consigned to the retailer and manufacturer of
scientific instruments, James W. Queen of
Philadelphia. Five models of the Acme
microscopes were produced numbered 2-6. The No.
5 on this page has a rack and pinion main focus
and a fine focus by tilting the upper stage plate.
A less expensive model was also
produced having a push-tube main focus.