Print, lithograph: Microcosm A Grand Display of the Wonders of Nature... by Philip Carpenter, Optician. G. Scharf lithog; Printed by C. Hullmandel. n.d. [1827?]. Image [trimmed to] 30.2x20.5cm [+1cm conservation edge all around for mounting]. Advertising his 14 microscopes at his premises 24 Regent Street London; with 14 scale images of the natural world including fly, flea, mite, beetle, iron ore; text in central lozenge (Calv. 71)

'Microcosm, A Grand Display of Nature' invited visitors to a room in Regent Street, London to "look into the secrets of nature" through a microscope. For the price of one shilling, visitors could look at 40 microscope slides showing parts of the vegetable, animal and mineral world. Sights on display included a slice of twig from a lime tree, a louse and a piece of iron ore. During the 1820s when this 'Grand Display of Nature' was taking place, microscopy was pursued for educational amusement and was also becoming a serious scientific tool.