This type of microscope was manufactured in Nuremberg Germany by the toy makers of the region. They are constructed of wood with decorated cardboard tubes. Examples were produced from the late 18th to early 19th century. Several styles were manufactured that were designed to mimic some of the brass microscopes of the period. In this case, the microscope is of the "Culpeper" type. Frequently, the bases of these microscopes were branded with the initials of the maker. The maker of this microscope, IM, is well known from several other examples in established museum collections.