New Leeuwenhoek Microscopes
at Cambridge shows that SEM macrography could provide insights that are otherwise unattainable. Each has an unusual story: one being locked away for two decades, another emerging from a box of silver trinkets, the third found in mud dug from the bottom of a canal. Once an agreed SEM protocol is available, it is certain that the number of accepted Leeuwenhoek microscopes will begin to reduce: the brass microscopes at Munich and Gent evoke serious doubts of authenticity, and several others need meticulous reappraisal [ 8 ]. T e fundamental conclusion is that the emergence of two unsuspected Leeuwenhoek microscopes in the space of a year reminds us that there may be others awaiting discovery. Leeuwenhoek made at least 500 microscopes during his lifetime [4]. Aſt er centuries of silence it suddenly seems possible that others could still appear.
References [1] C Dobell , Antony van Leeuwenhoek and his ‘Little Animals’ , John Bale, Sons and Danielsson , London , 1932 .
Figure 6: Microscope from Delft canal. Details of the metal shaping can be studied on this image of the stage block. The screw thread shows it was rolled and not cut using modern die techniques; this may be diagnostic of a genuine Leeuwenhoek microscope. The slight splaying of the positioning screw (above center) and the detail of the fi led-down rivet head (top center) disclose Leeuwenhoek’s diligence.
Conclusion T ree new Leeuwenhoek microscopes have thus been added to the list of nine, giving a total of twelve. None of the new arrivals is of certain provenance, though our research
[2] BJ Ford , T e Leeuwenhoek Legacy , Biopress , Bristol , 1991 , and Farrand Press, London, 1991.
[3] BJ Ford , Notes & Records of the Royal Society 36 ( 1 ) ( 1981 ) 37 – 59 .
[4] D Anderson , Annals of Science 72 ( 3 ) ( 2015 ) 1 – 27 . [5] G Laughlin , T e Microscope 57 ( 1 ) ( 2009 ) ii . [6] M Fournier , Gewina 25 ( 2002 ) 70 – 74 . [7] BJ Ford , Nature 521 ( 2015 ) 423 . [8] BJ Ford , Laboratory News ( July 2015 ) 20 – 21 .
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