Lot 220: The J. B. Dancer Collection of Fifteen Scientific Instruments Scientific and Mechanical Musical Instruments and Cameras

During his lifetime John Benjamin Dancer (1812-1887) made substantial contributions to microscopy, photography and science. He took over his father's optical business in Liverpool in 1835 but moved to Manchester in 1841 when he was aged 29 and with a Abraham Abraham set up the business of Abraham & Dancer at 13 Cross Street, Manchester which lasted until 1845. Microscopes with achromatic objectives were produced by such manufacturers as Andrew Ross, James Smith and Powell & Lealand, though they were very expensive.He began to produce them more cheaply and supplied achromatic microscopes to prominent scientists of the period. In 1839, when he was still at Liverpool, Dancer pioneered the making of microphotographs mounted on slides for microscope viewing, but it was not until Frederick Scott Archer of Manchester introduced the collodion process in 1851 that images in very fine detail could be recorded. This was used by Dancer to start producing vastly improved microphotograph slides including famous paintings, portraits, banknotes and the Lords prayer. Over 500 different subjects were produced and soon became popular for their novelty value. In addition to making a wide range of scientific instruments, Dancer also invented the twin lens stereoscopic camera in the mid 1850's the principle of which was then developed by other makers throughout the 19th century to supply three dimensional images when viewed through a suitable stereoscopic viewer. Dancer was also involved with the design and invention of apparatus relating to electricity, magnetism and thermometry. Dancer was without doubt a major contributor in the field of scientific instrument making in the second half of the 19th century.

During his lifetime John Benjamin Dancer (1812-1887) made substantial contributions to microscopy, photography and science. He took over his father's optical business in Liverpool in 1835 but moved to Manchester in 1841 when he was aged 29 and with a Abraham Abraham set up the business of Abraham & Dancer at 13 Cross Street, Manchester which lasted until 1845. Microscopes with achromatic objectives were produced by such manufacturers as Andrew Ross, James Smith and Powell & Lealand, though they were very expensive.He began to produce them more cheaply and supplied achromatic microscopes to prominent scientists of the period. In 1839, when he was still at Liverpool, Dancer pioneered the making of microphotographs mounted on slides for microscope viewing, but it was not until Frederick Scott Archer of Manchester introduced the collodion process in 1851 that images in very fine detail could be recorded. This was used by Dancer to start producing vastly improved microphotograph slides including famous paintings, portraits, banknotes and the Lords prayer. Over 500 different subjects were produced and soon became popular for their novelty value. In addition to making a wide range of scientific instruments, Dancer also invented the twin lens stereoscopic camera in the mid 1850's the principle of which was then developed by other makers throughout the 19th century to supply three dimensional images when viewed through a suitable stereoscopic viewer. Dancer was also involved with the design and invention of apparatus relating to electricity, magnetism and thermometry. Dancer was without doubt a major contributor in the field of scientific instrument making in the second half of the 19th century.