Items

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  R & J Beck Microscope

  The compound microscope is made from brass and japanned brass. The monocular microscope stands on a horseshoe base which is weighted for balance when the instrument is angled. The pillar is connected to the base, and ends in an inclination joint. Above the joint is the square fixed stage which has a circular cut out for observation. The substage mirror is connected via a gimbal which allows it to be rotated to catch the light. The microscope also has a substage iris diaphragm. The draw tube is japanned black, and coarse focusing is achieved by sliding the body tube through the draw tube. The body tube is made from brass. The microscope also has fine focusing which is controlled by a thumbscrew at the top of the limb.
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  R & J Beck Educational Microscope

  The compound microscope has a japanned claw-foot base and limb. The limb and body tube are connected by a trunnion joint that allows the microscope to angle when observing a specimen. The body tube, square stage and mirror fixture are made from brass. The body tube is connected to the curved limb, with the coarse focus controlled by a rack and pinion mechanism via a thumbscrew located at the side of the body tube. The microscope also has fine focus which is controlled by a thumbscrew on the front of the body tube. Underneath the fixed stage is a rotating iris diaphragm with 3 apertures. The substage mirror is connected via a gimbal attachment and rotates. The original case has a draw for accessories and a compartment for an objective canister. The case is made from mahogany and is secured by a lock and key, however, the key is not present with the microscope.
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  Monocular Compound Microscope

  The compound microscope is made from lacquered brass and the Y-shaped foot is permanently attached to a mahogany platform. The monocular microscope has a mechanical stage which can be adjusted along a X and Y axis via two thumbscrews. One of the thumbscrews moves the stage horizontally; however, the vertical adjustment no longer works due to a hole in the adjustment gear. The coarse focusing is achieved via a rack and pinion mechanism which moves the body-tube closer or further away from the fixed square stage. Fine focusing functions via a thumbscrew located at the bottom of the body-tube. The stage has two holes on either side of the corners which can hold accessories such as stage forceps or bullseye condenser, however, no accessories come with the microscope. The sub-stage concave mirror is one-sided and is attached to the pillar. The style of the microscope is similar to the Robert Fields' 1855 Society of the Arts winning design. The fitted mahogany case is original to the microscope, which has a brass carry handle on the top of the case. The interior has 5 circular sections to hold the objectives and ocular lenses that come with the microscope. There is a small draw located in the top of the interior which holds slides. The keyhole escutcheon matches that of other Beck microscope images, so it may be by produced by R & J Beck.
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  R & J Beck Compound Microscope

  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.