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![R+J Beck Microscope, from Bedford College [vintage]](http://curiousminds.co.uk/image/cache/data/Instruments/Beck_13362-1000x1000.JPG "R+J Beck Microscope, from Bedford College [vintage]")
This microscope was formerly used at Bedford College. It features a mechanical x-y stage, i.e. a couple of knobs allow you to easily move the stage up/down or left/right.
Classic microscopes such as this one are beautiful (and heavy!) display pieces, exhibiting the fine workmanship and materials (no plastic!) of a bygone era. They are also very usable and give excellent images, although if you primarily want it for microscopy (rather than display) you might prefer a more modern microscope.
| Make: | R & J Beck |
|---|---|
| Model: | ? |
| Type: | Monocular compound |
| Style: | Black & chrome |
| Eyepiece: | x5 |
| Tube Length: | 160+ mm (chrome extension) |
| Focussing: | Coarse (rack & pinion) & fine, both smooth. Small knob on the left does nothing. |
| Nosepiece: | 3 objective |
| Objectives: | 2.75x, x4, x10, all Watson. |
| Stage: | Black fixed, no clips present |
| Condenser: | present |
| Iris: | present & working |
| Illumination: | 2" flat & concave mirrors |
| Box: | none |
| Total Weight: | 6.10 kg |
| Condition: | Good. A few small chips & scratches. |
In the early 19th century, a lot of experimentation was taking place in lens design for microscopes, because improved lenses were fundamental to the better microscopes which were urgently needed for scientific research. A wine merchant in the City of London called Joseph Jackson Lister (1786-1869), (whose son became Lord Lister, the discoverer of antiseptics), was one of the leading innovators. His paper on lens design, published by the Royal Society in 1830, meant that good quality compound microscopes, which scientific research so urgently needed was now possible. His was the first scientifically based design for microscope lenses. J. J. Lister asked a mathematical instrument maker called James Smith to make a microscope to suit his new lenses and as more amd more people wanted decent microscopes Smith set up in business making microscopes with lenses of Lister’s design. Lister apprenticed his nephew Richard Beck to Smith, and when Richard became a partner in 1847 the firm became Smith & Beck. Joseph Beck, Richard’s brother and Horace Beck’s father joined the firm in 1851, having been apprenticed to Troughton and Simms, the foremost scientific instrument makers of the day. In 1868 James Smith retired and the name changed to R. & J. Beck. (from The Bead Study Trust).
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