This optical compendium is signed by Robert Banks and includes a solar microscope, a lucernal microscope, and a compound microscope.

The solar microscope, similar to microscope inv. 795, comprises two parts: a mirror holder with a mobile mirror, and a body-tube in which projection lenses with different powers can be inserted. Focusing is by rackwork. Also present are a fitting to screw onto the mirror holder for observing opaque objects.

The lucernal microscope, similar to microscope inv. 502, 1457, 3222, 3243, consists of a projection box and a mobile stage mounted on a pillar placed on a tripod support. The box contains lenses, objectives, and accessories for preparing specimens.

The compound microscope, mounted on a pillar resting on a tripod, comprises a tilting limb carrying the mirror, a converging lens, the stage, and the body-tube. The instrument fits into a box containing many accessories including seven objectives, a lieberkuhn, and two lenses that, when substituted for the body-tube, turn the device into a simple microscope.

There is also a box containing many glass slides, as well as various substances and specimens.