The 43" tube is fabricated of cast brass sheet. The focal length is 45" and total length of the tube equals 46 1/2" and it is mounted on a mahogany tripod for use in a standing position. The finder is a 9 3/4" telescope with crossed hairs. The control handle for horizontal adjustment is missing, as is part of that for vertical adjustment. The wooden tripod can be used as altazimuth or parallactic mounting so that the telescope might be used for terrestrial or celestial viewing. The wooden, cylindrical, telescope base on top of the tripod is divided into two halves of an angle of 25 1/2° and pivoted at the center on a tapered axis, vertical to the plane of division. When the two halves form a cylinder, the top surface is horizontal and may be used for terrestrial viewing. By turning the top half 180°, the top surface makes an angle of 51° with the horizontal (the latitude of London). These two positions are indicated on the cylindrical bodies by two lines, 180° apart. The lines of marked by two thin ivory strips inlaid in the wood. Marked, "Dollond, London." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Received as a set with optical set (58.56b). additional small box with 7 extra pieces on shelf with 58.56b. Compound microscope, 14 1/2" high; unmarked.

This telescope consists of a 35" brass tube with a 2.95" aperture, and focal length of approximately 25". There is an integral folding brass stand, for use on a table. There are two terrestrial and four astronomical eyepieces, all of the Huygens type, the use of which is described in an instruction sheet affixed to the box. The small intermediate lens, a cemented doublet of 1.4" characteristic of this type of telescope, is located within the tube. The instrument is Inscribed: "Dialytical telescope for the use of the American Philosophical Society held at Philadelphia. Invented 1832 and made by S. Plösel in Vienna the 1 of August 1834." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Brass construction, mahogany covered, one telescoping section. 1 5/8" aperture. Length 20" closed, 35 1/2" extended. Marked "Blunt, Cornhill, London." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Double-convex lens in wooden frame. Unmarked.

Compound microscope, 14 1/2" high; solar microscope with 6 1/2" barrel; shagreen box containing accessories. Unmarked. The Curator's Donation Book refers to this as a "magazine microscope in a Shagreen case, consisting of a single, double, and solar microscopes." At present the shagreen case contains a number of accessories, but will not fit the compound (double) or the solar microscopes. The lens of the single (simple) microscope is missing. The style of the instruments, nevertheless, suggests that they are part of a unit belonging to the period of this donation. (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

This telescope includes a 2" aperture. Its length is 10 1/4" closed, 32 1/4" extended. It is constructed out of brass and the outermost telescoping section is covered with reddened wood. This instrument is marked, "Plösel in Wien." Handwriting on tube reads: "Presented to the Am. Philos. Society Philadelphia / By Charles Nagy Member of the Hungarian Acady / attached is Imperial -- Vienna -- of Sciences of Pest-- / Jany 4, 1833." (Robert P. Multhauf, "Catalogue of Instruments and Models," 1961).

Two-draw hand telescope; brass, with mahogany barrel. The eye-piece is protected by a sliding guard; a brass cap fits over the end of the barrel. No maker's mark. Probably of English origin, about 1800. Retains its original chamois case.

Brass drum microscope stored in a wooden box with three glass slides, labeled in French: "ver à soie Trachées," "aile de Mouche," and "Angles d'araignée." Label inside box reads "JAMES W. QUEEN & CO / OPTICIANS, ____ WALNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA."