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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
44A (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 44A 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 44A is 4828.
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 |
