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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
44B (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 44B 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 44B is 4404.
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 |
