Bernard
(Bernard Preparer)

by Brian Stevenson
last updated March, 2022

Numerous high-quality microscope slides by "Bernard Preparer" are known (Figure 1), but the identity of this mounter remains a mystery.

Duplicate slides by Bernard are known. Considering Bernard's use of typeset labels, it is probable that they were a professional slide maker.

A slide by Bernard is known that bears a handwritten date of 1875 (Figure 1). The style of Bernard's slides is consistent with that date, and later.

Bernard's sides are usually seen at auctions in the UK, suggesting that they lived in that country.

The majority of Bernard's known microscope slides are of objects for examining between crossed polarizing filters (polariscope), such as horns, hooves, and hairs. Moreover, the specimens tend to be from exotic animals, such as antelopes, elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, and zebras.

Neither Bernard's first name nor city of residence are known, which complicates identification of this mounter. I have not located exchange advertisements from a person with that name in any period magazine.

Any suggestions, or clues, on Bernard's identity will be greatly appreciated.

Figure 1. Microscope slides by "Bernard Preparer". The slide on the far left bears a pencil-written date of 16 February, 1875, and "Bath" (presumaby the English city - possibly the location of acquisition). The large majority of Bernard's slides are of objects suitable for viewing between crossed polarizing filters, such as horn or hoof sections, and are from exotic animals. Slides such as the illustrated "horn of chamois" have labels that are identical to Bernard's with the exception of his name, and were presumably made by Bernard for sale through other retailers. Images from the author’s collection or adapted for nonprofit, educational purposes from an internet auction site.

Figure 2. Transverse section of a horn from a harnessed antelope, prepared by Bernard (see Figure 1). Photographed between crossed polarizing filters with a 3.5x objective lens and C-mounted digital SLR camera.

Figure 3. Longitudinal section of a horn from a chamois, prepared by Bernard (see Figure 1). Photographed between crossed polarizing filters with a 3.5x objective lens and C-mounted digital SLR camera.

Figure 4. Longitudinal section of a horn from an ibex, prepared by Bernard (see Figure 1). Photographed between crossed polarizing filters with a 3.5x objective lens and C-mounted digital SLR camera.

Figure 5. Longitudinal section of an elephant hoof, prepared by Bernard (see Figure 1). Photographed between crossed polarizing filters with a 3.5x objective lens and C-mounted digital SLR camera.