Items

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  Smith, Beck & Beck Student Microscope

  The early Wenham binocular compound microscope was sold to a Mr. W. Bean on the 31st May 1856 according to the records. The instrument is signed "Smith, Beck & Beck, 31 Cornhill, London 1088." on the body-tube. The microscope stands on a reversed Y-shaped base connected to the lower pillar which ends in brass trunnions which allows for inclination. The instrument includes a plano-concave mirror in a gimbal on an articulated arm connected to a sliding collar. The mechanical stage has an attachment which allows the specimen to be held in place by balancing it on a shelf, and the upper level of the stage can also be rotated to adjust. The stage can be adjusted along the X and Y axis via rack work controlled by the two thumbscrews located at the side of the stage. Beneath the stage is an iris diaphragm with 3 apertures that can be rotated. Coarse focusing is achieved by rack and pinion mechanism controlled by the two large thumbscrews at either side of the body-tubes. Fine focusing is controlled by the labelled thumbscrew located behind the stage. At the top of the binocular body-tube is the inter-ocular adjustment via rack work.
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  Dark Wells & Holder

  The dark well sub-stage condenser comes with 3 inserts. The instrument is used to make a dark background for an object when using a Lieberkuhn microscope.
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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.