Optical Instruments: Microscopes, Binoculars, Sextans, Theodolits, Hand Scopes

These two stamps depicting a microscope were issued by Peru in 1983 to commemorate the centenary of the discovery of the tuberculosis bacillus by Dr. Robert Koch. The 240 sols stamp (Sc #782) was issued on January 18, and the surcharged 100 sols stamp (Sc #794) was released on November 21.

On April 1, 1994 Indonesia issued a three-stamp set commemorating the country's 6th Five Year Development Plan. Each of these stamps feature statuary of Buddhist dieties as a background. The 100 rupiah value (Sc #1570) shows three professional women, one of whom is using a microscope.

Here is a vertically se-tenant pair of 45c stamps (Sc #1701a) issued by Australia to commemorate the bicentenary of Bass's and Flinders's circumnavigation of Van Diemen's Land/Tasmania. The George Bass (1771-1803) stamp shows a sextant, and the Matthew Flinders (1776-1814) stamp depicts a telescope.

This 80c value (Sc #751) of Bermuda is from the December 18, 1997 'Education in Bermuda' six-stamp set. Stamp shows three students in a lab, and one of them is using a microscope.

On August 30, 1999 Romania issued a four-stamp set featuring '20th Century Achievements'. The 800 leu value (Sc #4312) of the set depicts Dr. Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin in 1928, and a microscope.

Here is the 80 makuta value (Sc #1111) from Zaire's February 21, 1983 four-stamp set commemorating the centenary of the discovery of the tuberculosis bacillus by Dr. Robert Koch. All values of the set are identically designed, but each has a different background color.

This March 8, 1997 seventeen franc stamp (Sc #1642) of Belgium commemorates United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. Stamp depicts a Belgian UN peacekeeper ("blue helmet") using binoculars.

On April 5, 1997 Belgium issued this 17 franc stamp (Sc #1646) to commemorate Stamp Day. The stamp depicts Constant Spinoy (1924-1993) who engraved stamps for Belgium from 1962 -1985. 1983 was the only year during this period when a Spinoy-engraved stamp was not issued.

Stamp depicts Spinoy holding a graver in one hand and a loupe in the other hand.

Here is the 3 escudo value (Sc #1285) from Portugal's May 29, 1976 INTERPHIL '76 International Stamp Exhibition set of three stamps.

This 25c value (Sc #285) of Fiji is from the November 10, 1969 three-stamp set commemorating the inauguration of The University of the South Pacific.

From wikipedia, "The University of the South Pacific is a public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organized as an intergovernmental organization and is owned by the governments of 12 Pacific island countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu...The university's main campus is in Suva, Fiji, with subsidiary causes in each member state."

On May 22, 1986 Monaco issued a two-stamp, marine protection-themed set for its annual EUROPA emission. The 2.20 franc value (Sc #1520) of the set publicizes the Coastal Conservation Agreement (RAMOGE) and shows a microscope.

Here is Belgium's April 11, 1992 15 franc stamp (Sc #1448) issued for Stamp Day. Stamp shows Belgian stamp designer Jan Van Noten (1903-1982) holding a small brush in his right hand and a magnifying glass in his left hand.

A microscope is shown on the one taka value (Sc #215) of Bangladesh's February 20, 1983 two-stamp set commemorating the centenary of the discovery of the tubercle bacillus by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882.

This 10 franc value (Sc #1103) of Rwanda is from the November 20, 1982 four-stamp set commemorating the centenary of Dr. Robert Koch's discovery of the TB bacillus.

On September 30, 1951 Belgium issued a three-stamp set of semi-postal stamps commemorating the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The 80c + 20c value (Sc #B492) of this set, shown here, depicts a research scientist in a lab.