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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
35 (R & J
Beck; model 22; early 1920s)
R & J Beck
occupy an especially important place in the history of the British microscope
manufacturing with its beginning established in London, by Richard Beck (1827
- 1866) in association with James Smith (1800 – 1873), and later to be joined
by his brother Joseph Beck. Richard and Joseph Beck were nephews of Joseph
Jackson Lister, who was a respected British optician and physicist who
experimented with achromatic lenses and perfected an optical microscope. In
commissioning the manufacture of his improved microscope, Lister worked with
James Smith, an employee of the instrument-making firm of William Tulley, to
create the stand. James Smith went on to establish his own optical instruments
workshop in 1837. Through this relationship, Lister arranged for his nephew,
Richard Beck to be an apprentice under Smith in 1843. In 1847, James Smith
entered into partnership with Richard Beck, and the company was re-named Smith
& Beck. In 1854, the company was renamed to Smith, Beck and Beck,
as Richard Beck's brother Joseph Beck joined the company in 1851. James Smith
retired in 1865 and the company became R & J Beck and this name
lasted for long time. In 1866, Richard Beck died at an early age of 39, and
Joseph Beck carried on the business. In 1895 the company became a limited
partnership (R & J Beck Ltd). By 1968, the company was a
subsidiary of the Ealing Corporation of USA. In 2019, Beck Optronic
Solutions Ltd is a descendent of the former R & J Beck Ltd.
Microscope 35 is known as Beck’s Model 22 and date from the early 1920s
(Figure 1). According to an early 20th Century Beck’s catalogue,
these microscopes were general purpose instruments for teaching
establishments and medical work. The base and pillar are in one heavy iron
casting. The base has a large spread, making the microscope stand firmly,
either in the vertical, inclined or horizontal position. The stage is large,
of solid construction, and rigidly attached to the limb of the microscope. The
microscope has a coarse adjustment, actuated by helical rack and pinion. The
fine adjustment is of a simple but effective design, actuated by a large
milled head. The body tube is of the standard length and has an extending
drawtube. A double mirror, plane and concave, is fitted into the lower end of
the limb. Model 22 microscopes were originally sold with a revolving dome
shaped diaphragm with several apertures of varying sizes, or a substage with
a diaphragm and condenser. Stage clips are fitted to the stage for holding
specimens in position. The serial number of microscope 35 is 3919.
Figure 1. Beck’s model 22 microscope
(adapted from an early 20th Century R & J Beck Ltd catalogue) Reference James
Smith, 1800 – 1873 (http://microscopist.net/SmithJ.html),
last accessed on 12.08.2020 R.
and J. Beck (https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/R._and_J._Beck),
last accessed on 12.08.2020 LAST EDITED: 15.08.2020 |
