These are copies of either actual Leeuwenhoek microscopes, or artistic renditions of Leeuwenhoek microcopes. They are presented here as examples of the variation size and detail of Antonie van Leeuwehhoek microscopes.

1: Microscope No. 348: This is a 19th Century copy most likely made in Portugal. It consists of a copper alloy that has cracked over the years. This microscope was purchased from a vendor in Paris in 2024.

2: Microscope No. 327: This is an exact copy of an authentic silver Leeuwenhoek microscope purchased in 2015. The instrument has the highest magnification of all known Leeuwenhoek microscopes at 248x.

3: Microscope No. 328: This is a copy of an authenticated Leeuwenhoek microscope that now resides in the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden. Copies like this may be purchased from the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave.

4: Microscope No. 302: This is the original Leeuwenhoek copy that was purchased by Golub in 1968. It is likely a copy of another authentic Leeuwenhoek microscope owned by the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) made over 500 individual microscopes, each for a particular sample. Of these there are only 10 or so known. The last potential AvL microscope was sold at auction in 2024. It was purchased by a corporation and has disappeared from public view. The largest number of Leeuwenhoek microscopes reside in the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in Leiden. The have five.

Microscopes featured 08/2024