Microscope Slides in Box

MicroscopeSlides (4).jpg
MicroscopeSlides.jpg

Title

Microscope Slides in Box

Subject

Geology, Mineralogy and Crystallography

Description

Physical Description

These microscope slides are contained in a lightly colored oak box, featuring thin cuts of wood and brass hardware. The locking mechanism on the front of the box is made up of two rotating hooks on each side, located near the top of the box, and two open loops, located near the bottom of the box. The top of the box reads, in hand-written black ink, “Other Common Rock Forming/Minerals.” The box opens up to reveal 282 glass microscope slides and 18 empty slots for missing slides. Each slide is made of a mineral sample pressed onto a cut of glass. Each slide has two labels attached to the glass; on one of the labels, a typed font displays the words: “MICHIGAN MINING SCHOOL. NO.” and features a number unique to each mineral sample. On the other label, a name, number, and location of each mineral sample is hand-written in black ink.

Functional Description

The glass slides contains a mineral to be examined at a microscopic level. Slides were used to press thin strips of minerals flat and hold them easily for examination. The slide containing the mineral was placed and secured, and then the microscope is adjusted for viewing.

Creator

Savannah de Luca

Date

c. 1880

Language

English

Type

Physical object

Identifier

DM 31417

Physical Dimensions

Box Length: 44cm Width: 28cm Depth: 5.5cm

Materials

Box: Oak with brass hardware
Slides: Glass, paper tag with ink, mineral specimen

Inscriptions

Writing in ink: "Other Common Rock Forming/Minerals"

Location

A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum

Citation

Savannah de Luca, “Microscope Slides in Box,” Michigan Tech Inventory of Historic Scientific Instruments, accessed March 28, 2024, https://ihsi.omeka.net/items/show/104.