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Anonymous French manuscript about the microscope

 Collection — Volume: 1
Call Number: MS A23

Overview

This collection consists of a single volume, the bulk of which contains instructions for the manufacture of microscopes and their lenses, barrels, etc., as well as for the caring of them. The volume also contains a second, reversed set of pages, the bulk of which are blank but which contain a recipe for making a cordial and an ink sketch and painted coat of arms.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1690

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Extent

1 volume : Bound in red morocco, edges painted with floral decoration in colors and gold tooling. French. Contemporary. Oblong, with remains of 8 red silk ties. ; 9.5 x 15.8 cm

Language of Materials

French

Scope and Contents

The first half of the volume includes pages laid in: pages 1-34, [2]p, pages 55-66 [2]p. laid in, pages 67-106. The 3rd preliminary leaf has a painted coat of arms with caption "Lee Armes de la famille de Tprsms.T[??]"

There follows 1 blank leaf and 1 coat of arms. Page 1 is blank; pages 2-5 contain Table des Matieres. After page 6 (blank), pages 7-106 contain instructions for the manufacture of microscopes, their lenses, barrels, etc, and for caring for them, including the preparation of the paper or vellum in which the barrels were wrapped. Pages 88-94 contain tables of aperture and focal length.

The reversed back half of the volume is mostly blank. The 6th leaf after text has an ink sketch with verse caption 119th and a painted coat of arms quartering arms from the 1st sequence with fleur-de-lys and thistle. Pages 7-9 contain a recipe for making rossolis (a cordial). The ink sketch is of a man directing battles.

Physical Location

MS A23

Custodial History

3rd preliminary leaf painted coat of arms with caption "Lee Armes de la famille de Tprsms.T[??]

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Israel (Dutch bookseller). 1961/1962.

General

Dating from mention on p. 98 of a microscope made by Campani (Giuseppe Campani, active 1680-96) and reported by Joblot (Louis Joblot, 1647-172-, published in 1718 Description et usages de plusieurs nouveaux microscopes).

Title
Guide to the Microscope Codex Collection
Subtitle
Anonymous French Manuscript about the Miscroscope
Author
Finding aid prepared by am, November 16, 1962. Finding aid encoded by mg, 2005.
Date
2005
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/8703071721
Preferred citation
Anonymous French manuscript about the microscope, Department of Special Collections, MS A23, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334