Simple Microscopes - The Giordano Collection
In addition to buying and selling rare books, The Antiquarian Scientist has, over the last 30 years, created one of the largest and most diverse collections of simple microscopes (microscopes with a single lens). The collection contains well over 150 examples dating back to the late 17th century, when Antony van Leeuwenhoek invented the simple microscope. From September 2006- September 2007 the Giordano Collection along with a number of broadsides, were on exhibit at the
MIT Science Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The exhibit, titled
Singular Beauty was co-curated by Raymond V. Giordano (The Antiquarian Scientist) and Deborah Douglas (the curator of the science and technology at the MIT Science Musuem).
Click here to read the MIT Science Musuem Press release for Singular Beauty.Singular Beauty at the MIT Science Musuem was a resounding success and the exhibit will now be going on to the
Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, Missouri beginning April 30th, 2009 (opening reception on April 30th at 5:30 PM). Show closes September 12, 2009. The exhibit will be one of the highlights for the annual
EAIA (Early American Instruments Association) meeting.
Click here to read the article in the EAIA November/December newsletter anticipating
Singular Beauty's arrival in Kansas City. For the entire EAIA newsletter
click here.
Publications regarding the Giordano Collection:
Rara Microscopia Simplicia - An exceptional collection of photographs from the Giordano Collection
In 2003 The Antiquarian Scientist published a pair of portfolios that illustrated 31 of the finest simple microscopes from the Giordano Collection. These 31 instruments are depicted in 28 8.5 x 11 in. high resolution photographs. Brief descriptions accompany each photograph. Photography by Spartan Giordano.
Portfolio I covers 1680-1750
Portfolio II covers 1750-1880
Sample photograph: Joblot Microscope
Sample photograph: Francis Watkins-type Microscope
The Singular Beauty exhibition catalogue
In association with the Singular Beauty exhibit at the MIT Science Musuem a comprehensive catalogue of the collection was published. The catalogue includes detailed descriptions of the 127 examples included in the Singular Beauty exhibit. The 64 page catalogue contains about 125 full-color photographs and forwards by Raymond V. Giordano, Deborah G. Douglas, and Anthony Turner. Photography and design by Spartan Giordano.