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An
enhanced, more artistic and
complex variation of the "Arranged Object"
mount. Exhibition slides were often
considered to be the pinnacle of the commercial mounters art,
considering the degree of difficulty in their preparation. Combining various objects, often many 100s
(or 1000s!) of individual
butterfly or insect scales, diatoms, spicules, etc.; each piece was
individually selected and painstakingly placed to create the pictures or complex geometric arrangements.
Some of the finest examples of these amazing
"picture" slides (using primarily butterfly and insect scales) were made in the last quarter of the 19th
Century by H. (Harold) Dalton, and were then sometimes factored through W. Watson & Sons of
London, carrying their secondary labels.
The image immediately
below, from a mount by W. Watson & Sons, London c. 1880s is composed of diatoms, butterfly
scales, and plates and anchors of Synapta (Sea Cucumber). It is a beautiful
example of the geometric variety of exhibition mount. |
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Above,
3 fine Exhibition slides by Watson & Sons, London, c.
1880s. Watsons retailed these slides made by many
of the very best mounters of the time, including Moller,
Thum, and Dalton. |
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Above,
an Exhibition Mount of Arranged Diatoms by Watson & Sons,
London, c. 1885; and
below,
two Exhibition or Picture Mounts made using butterfly and
insect wing scales. Immediately below, "Flowers, Grasses,
Ferns, Insects, and Birds", and far bottom image "Bouquet
with Insects, Etc.", probably by H. Dalton, for W. Watson &
Sons, London, c. 1880s. All imaged using combinations of Darkfield and or Reflected lighting
techniques. |
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Soirees
were popular social events, where guests could view
the latest Exhibition slides. These gatherings were
often put on by microscope instrument makers such as
Smith & Beck and Ross, or the Microscopical Society
of London (after 1866, known as the Royal Microscopical
Society). |
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Exhibition
Rosette of Arranged Diatoms by E. Thum, c. 1880s |
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Shown
above, the detail of four amazing "picture" slides
created by Harold Dalton using butterfly and insect
scales, diatoms, etc. Dalton was probably the
premier artistic mounter producing this type of
exhibition mount. An interesting newspaper article "Painting
Microscopic Slides" that appeared in 1886 discussing
Dalton and his art can be found here.
Below, is shown an
example of a specially designed microscope (maker unknown),
used for the preparation of exhibition mounts. The cabinet,
sealed by a hinged door, allowed remote manipulation and
arrangement of the microscopic objects. The slide, mounted
on the interior stage assembly, would be protected from air
currents, dust, etc during the lengthy construction process. |
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Another
beautiful Exhibition mount by Watson & Sons, London
composed of Diatoms, Sponge Spicules, and Plates &
Anchors. c. 1880s |
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The 1st International Worlds Fair "The Great
Exhibition" opened in London 1851 at the newly
completed "Crystal Palace". Many of the top
Microscope and slide makers exhibited their best
instruments and preparations, with C.M. Topping
winning a Gold Medal. |
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Above
and below, actual slides that were part of
C.M. Toppings Gold Medal winning display and
submission at the Great Exhibition in 1851.
Note the unusual mounting and papering
method that allowed attachment to the backing
display board. The heavy gold gilt
patterened cover papers Topping used were
only used for his exhibition mounts, as were
the cream white edge and backing papers. |
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