Enchanting Microscope Slides No. 2: Commercial Slide Specimen "Famous Woman"

Antique Microscope Slide

This is a commercial slide specimen for viewing under a microscope.
Within a photograph measuring 2mm in height and 1.5mm in width, portraits of 105 famous women are captured. In the past, microscope manufacturers would create and sell slide specimens, made by minutely shrinking and printing photographs using their microscopes, as promotional material for their own instruments. During that era (the 19th century), lithographs by famous artists (religious paintings, heroes, famous figures, historical buildings, etc.) were often chosen as subjects.

Lithograph 105 Famous Women (Original created in 1856)
(See Image 4)

(See Image 5)
Within a photograph measuring 2mm in height and 1.5mm in width, portraits of 105 famous women are captured. The magnification of the microscope is 50x.

(See Image 6)
This photograph is based on a lithograph created by Warnum in 1856. Unfortunately, it is not possible to identify all of the women depicted.
Microscope observation magnification: 100x

Lady Jane Grey (See Image 7)
Her distinctive features include her eyebrows, high nose, and the shape of her lips.
She was queen for a mere nine days. She is depicted in the center of the portrait wearing a crown.
Left: The Execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche
Microscope observation magnification: 250x

Elizabeth I (See Image 8)
She is wearing a distinctive costume with a large collar and a hair ornament.
Born as the daughter of Henry VIII, she was declared illegitimate after her mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed two and a half years later.

Marie Antoinette (See Image 9)
Her distinctive features include a broad forehead and small lips.
Her hairstyle is the pouf.

Anne Boleyn (See Image 10)
Her distinctive features include a long, straight nose, the hollows from her eyebrows to her eyes, and her hairstyle. Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII of England and the mother of Elizabeth I.

Sarah Jennings (See Image 11)
(Duchess of Marlborough)
Her plump cheeks and voluminous hairstyle indicate that this is Sarah.

Microphotograph by J.B. Dancer (See Images 15 & 16)
Brian Bracegirdle
1993
*The book is not included in this listing.

[The commercial slide by J.H. STEWARD is sharply focused. This is a rare item.]