Items

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  Smith & Beck "Milk Box" Educational Microscope

  This microscope is a rare example as it has a cast iron base which appears to have been purpose-built rather than retrofitted. The actual instrument has been stripped of its gunmetal and black lacquers. The microscope is signed with a stamped with "Smith & Beck, London" on the side pillar. The cast iron base is attached to the dual side pillars which end in trunnions that allow for inclination. The square stage has a substage iris diaphragm which can be removed and a substage plano-concave mirror set in a gimbal. Coarse focusing is achieved by sliding the body-tube through the cylinder attachment connected to the main pillar. The fine focusing is controlled by knurled knob at the base of the pillar and the cast iron base is attached to a mahogany accessories tray that holds the objective and objective lens. The mahogany case is secured by a lock and key, which is broken. The base slides into the case horizontally. The microscope design was low end and became eclipsed by the binocular version —  "Popular Microscope" —  by 1865. The instrument was described by Richard Beck in his book, A Treatise, in 1865 and reviewed by Gerald Turner in his book, The Great Age of the Microscope (1989).
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  Microscope Lamp

  The lamp is made from brass and cast iron. The instrument stands on a cast iron circular stand which is painted black. The circular column is connected to the base and holds the lamp via an arm. The lamps height can be adjusted by loosening the thumbscrew and adjusting the height along the column. The glass and brass reservoir is connected to the burner and has a blue glass chimney with a white porcelain shade which is removable. The shade is held by a circular attachment which stands adjacent to the column and can be adjusted vertically by a thumbscrew located at the bottom of the arm.
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  Microscope Lamp

  The lamp is made from brass, metal and cast iron. The instrument stands on a splayed tripod base which is weighted, with the stand of the instrument connected to one of the legs. The rectangular base of the lamp seems to be made from blackened metal and acts as a well for oil. There is a small cap on the base which screws open to pour in the oil or paraffin. The instrument can be adjusted vertically by unscrewing the thumbscrew on the post and adjusting the height. The lamp also has a magnifier attachment via an arm and gimbal. The thumbscrew on the side of the magnifier allows the magnifier to be tilted and adjusted.
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  R & J Beck Bullseye Condenser

  The bullseye condenser is made from cast iron and brass. The base is weighted cast iron, with a ring of brass around the pillar with "R&J BECK Lt. LONDON." etched into it. The instrument would have been used to direct and intensify light from a flame or lamp for the observation of a specimen under a microscope. The magnifying glass is connected to a brass arm which is attached to the pillar by a ball and socket joint. The underneath of the base is lined with red velvet.
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  Nachet et Fils Microscope

  The compound microscope is made from brass and japanned cast iron. The instrument is signed "NACHET ET FILS 17 Rue St Severin Paris" at the front of the arm attachment which holds the body tube. The microscope stands on a H-shaped foot which is painted black and connected to the pillar. The pillar is curved and has a inclination joint which allows the microscope to be angled for observation. The sub-stage concave mirror is connected to the square stage by a gimbal and pin. The stage has two clips that hold the specimen for observation. The objective has three lens attachments and coarse focusing functions via a sliding mechanism of the body-tube through the draw tube. Fine focusing is controlled by the small thumbscrew located at the top of the limb.
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  Charles Baker Polarizing Microscope

  The compound microscope has a double nose-piece which holds two objectives that can be rotated when needed. The monocular microscope is made from brass and japanned black cast iron. The horseshoe-shaped base and limb are japanned and connected via a trunnion joint that allows the microscope to be angled for observation. The coarse focus functions via a rack and pinion mechanism which is operated by a thumbscrew on the side of the microscope. Fine focus is controlled by the thumbscrew on the side of the pillar. The circular stage is fixed with stage clips that secure the specimen for observation. The outside of the stage has markings of measurement that range from 10 to 360. Beneath the stage is a polarizer which can be adjusted by rotating it. The microscope comes with a wooden, fitted case with compartments to secure the microscope. The case is secured via a lock on the door.