R & J Beck Compound Microscope

Title

Description

The R & J Beck's compound microscope is made from lacquered brass with a continental horseshoe base which is solid brass and has etched "R & J. Beck. Ltd London 26669" into the back of the base. On one of the sides of the base, "WILLIAMS BROWN & EARLE PHILADELPHIA" is etched into the foot. The substage double-sided mirror — which includes a concave side — is attached via a gimbal arm to a swinging tailpiece that is connected to the pillar. The square, mechanical stage is painted black and has two metal clips to secure a specimen. There are two holes on both corners of the stage in which accessories such as stage forceps can be attached. However, there are not any stage accessories with this microscope. There is also a substage iris diaphragm that can be adjusted via a lever on the outside. The coarse focusing functions via a rack and pinion mechanism which moves the body tube closer or further away from the fixed stage. The fine focusing mechanism is controlled by a thumbscrew located at the top of the pillar. The fitted case is original to the microscope and has compartments on the inside of the door that hold the objectives and ocular lenses. The case has a brass carry handle on top of the microscope and the case is secured with a lock; however, there is not a key with the microscope.

The microscope comes with the following accessories: 2 ocular lenses, 3 objective lenses with brass canisters: "40mm R & J Beck Ltd 2IN" "16 mm R & J Beck Lt. 2/3" "4mm R & J Beck. Ltd 1.6"

Condition

Cosmetically: The lacquered brass is in good condition with some stains from age and use.

Optically: The lenses are clear and functional.

Mechanically: The microscope is functional.

Subject

Microscopes

Creator

R & J Beck

Source

Dean Reynold's Microscope Collection Powerpoint http://www.antique-microscopes.com/photos/Beck_London-Handle_Microscope.htm The Billings Microscope Collection p. 224

Publisher

UNC Charlotte

Date

c. 1895-1905

Contributor

Laura Burgess

Rights

Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission from the Graduate Office, UNC Charlotte.

Relation

N/A

Format

Microscope: 9 3/4" closed, 13 1/2" extended
Case: 11" x 4 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Language

N/A

Type

Three-dimensional object

Identifier

070823

Coverage

69 Mortimer Street, London, England

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