Lens on the real one - Rijksmuseum Boerhaave - V07017
The thing that truly distinguished Van Leeuwenhoek’s instruments from other 17th century microscopes, though, was the quality of the lens. Ironically enough, this very part is almost entirely hidden between the lens plates. Quickly loosening the nails a bit to take a closer look at the lens is obviously not an option.
When “COPIE LEIDEN” was made, people assumed that Van Leeuwenhoek used glass orbs as lenses. They were mounted in the replicas as well. Today, we know that Van Leeuwenhoek exclusively used thinner, sharpened lenses, offering a bit more room for slides while observing.
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