MICROSCOPES FROM THE SMITH & BECK DYNASTY
JAMES SMITH (1839 – 1846)
A substantial antique
microscope by James Smith (No. 78,
circa 1844), founder of the Smith & Beck, R
& J Beck dynasty, signed on the foot. James Smith had connections with Joseph
Jackson Lister - the famous experimental designer of object lens systems, who
during his experimentation, found that he needed a better design of stand and
commissioned James Smith, mathematical instrument maker, to do the job. By
1839, with Lister's help, Smith had set up in business at 50 Ironmonger Row,
Old Street, London. When the newly founded Microscopical Society placed their
first orders for microscopes in 1841, they went to the three leading makes:
James Smith, Andrew Ross and Hugh Powell. James Smith was given the order,
ahead of both Ross and Powell. Richard Beck, a nephew of J.J. Lister was sent
to Smith as an apprentice and in 1847 he was taken into partnership so that the
firm became known as Smith & Beck. In 1851 Richard's brother Joseph joined
the firm. Joseph Beck had already served an apprenticeship with the famed
Troughton and Simms and in 1857 Joseph was also made a partner and the firm's
name changed to Smith, Beck & Beck. James Smith retired in 1864 and the
firm’s name changed to R. & J. Beck in 1865. James Smith died in 1870. R
& J Beck became a limited company in 1894 and was eventually taken over by
Griffin & George Ltd. in 1960. Both the microscope and its carrying case
are substantial. The cased instrument weighs 15Kgs. The microscope is 25 inches
high when fully extended. The case
is 18 inches high. It has two recessed brass handles, one on each side of the
case and is made from rosewood (I think). The removable, rosewood plinth, on
which the microscope stands, is in excellent condition.
The internal accessory box, which houses most of the accessories
has been re-built and all the sliding drawers are in good condition. One of the
6 internal drawers is cork lined to hold microscopic samples on pins. The base of the microscope has a
three-way foot support. In the centre is a disc supporting the pillar atop
which is a compass joint that rotates the entire body as well as providing the
facility to set the body at any angle to the vertical. There is a very large
plano-concave mirror in superb condition, both sides,
gimballed on a sleeve, pillar mounted under the stage. Above, is a mechanical
stage with fully rotating overstage with slide clamp
and under stage thumbwheels to control the movement.
The curved limb has a knurled thumbscrew to retain the limb-mounted bull's eye condenser. The main body has a substantial rack
and pinion coarse focus. There is also a micrometer fine
focus, graduated 0 – 9 on the nose and the drawtube is engraved with the
calibration length. An old hand-written paper, found in one of the drawers,
tabulates the magnification powers for the combination of objectives, oculars
and drawtube lengths (from X20 to X460). It also gives the angle of aperture
for the objectives. Optical accessories comprise 3
different power oculars, a 1-1/4 combined 2/3 inch objective with matching
signed canister, separate conical diaphragm (to fit when the 1 ¼ is used) and
lieberkuhn with screw-on dust cap, a ¼ inch cover correction objective with
matching signed canister, and lieberkuhn with screw-on dust cap. Other accessories include a limb mounted bullseye
condenser, a live box, a large pair of brass forceps, two glass tubes, an
ocular mounted camera lucida, a wet cell or bi-concave lens and a Maltwood’s
finder in its Moroccan leather covered case. This finder has been repaired, by
“sellotaping” the two parts of the supporting glass slide together, to render
the item useful again. The sub-stage wheel of stops condenser
is fitted on a dovetailed slide under the stage. I would guess that this set
was made for someone important as it is fitted out in a highly polished
rosewood case instead of the usual mahogany case.
SMITH & BECK (1847 – 1856)
An antique "Large Best No. 1 Stand” or “Grand
Binocular Microscope". It is signed "Smith
& Beck, 6 Coleman St., London, number 694", on the
foot, which dates it to 1852, (No. 175 in the RMS collection is an almost
identical, but slightly newer stand). The microscope
stands nearly 24 inches high in the working position and has thumbwheel
controlled rack & pinion inter-ocular separation, Wenham prism on sliding
shoe, rack & pinion main and nosepiece micrometer fine focus, a square
mechanical stage with a rotating overstage and slide clamps, a mechanical
sub-stage, a plano-concave mirror on an articulated arm, all mounted on twin pillars
above a rotating plate on a “Y” foot. It comes complete with not one but two
boxes of accessories, which are (I think)
Box 1 – compressorium, camera lucida, tool for adjusting
stand joint tension, pointing ocular with eyepiece micrometer. Box 2
- glass tube, fish plate, cover slips, limb mounted parabolic side reflector,
glass ledge, stage forceps, glass trough, forceps, hand held microtome, stage
mounted bulls eye condenser, stage micrometer, live box, sub-stage poleriser,
sub-stage selenite, eyepiece analyser, rotating holder for nosepiece analyser,
universal centring condenser with wheel of stops & dark grounds, high power
ocular, higher power ocular, 1 1/2 inch objective in signed can, 4/10 inch correction
cover objective in signed can, 1/5 inch correction cover objective in signed
can, 1/8 inch correction cover objective in signed can. The pair of low power
oculars is stored in place on the microscope and the monocular drawtube is
stored in the main case. Everything (within the
limits of my knowledge) has original finishes, and works well, except the
(working) lock & key and the main case handle
which are replacements.
A large antique microscope by Smith & Beck. Richard
Beck’s book, "Achromatic Microscopes" describes the stand as a
“Second Class or Number 3 Stand” This monocular microscope is signed in script on the body tube Smith & Beck, 6 Colemen St., LONDON, 1087. The
number and the address date it to 1856. With the drawtube extended, this microscope stands some 22 inches tall. The microscope
comes complete with accessories in a fitted clamshell type case. It has rack & pinion main and micrometer fine focus, a square stage with a manual
slide guide in 2 dovetailed runners, a sub-stage socket for plug-in
accessories, a plano-concave mirror on an articulated arm, all above a reversed
“Y” foot. It comes with accessories including
free-standing bullseye condenser, 2 eyepieces, live box, glass plate with
ledge, packet of cover slips, large stage forceps, tweezers, lieberkuhn, wheel
of stops sub-stage condenser, dark well sub stage condenser with 3 inserts and 2 objectives in lacquered brass cans (1 ½ in & 4/10
cover correction). There is also an erecting lens set which screws into the drawtube for easier low power dissecting work. The
lacquer is in very good condition and everything is in pretty good working
order. The chest type mahogany case has the original
lock but no key.
A FIRST CLASS LARGE BEST or
NUMBER ONE STAND MICROSCOPE by SMITH & BECK with accessories, in it’s
original case. This “top of the range” microscope is a large pre-RMS monocular
microscope, signed in script Smith & Beck, 6
Coleman St., London on the foot, with the serial number 1286 on the heel, dating it to about 1855. See Richard Beck’s treatise 1865. This microscope has a calibrated draw tube,
rack & pinion main focus and micrometer nosepiece fine focus. The
instrument was originally made to fit Smith & Beck’s pre-RMS standard
objectives and has a removable adapter to fit the later RMS standard
objectives. The microscope has a flat
tripod foot with a rotating plate holding the large ornately turned twin
pillars which support the large brass limb with sockets for over-stage
accessories, and the mechanical stage.
As well as having a rack & pinion controlled mechanical sub-stage,
fitted with an achromatic condenser with perforated diaphragm and centring
screws above the tube holding 3 swing-out selenites, the main stage has a
socket for sub-stage accessories. The
large plano-convex mirror is mounted from the triangular section sub-stage bar
by an articulated arm. This microscope fits into a mahogany case with 3
accessory drawers. The accessory drawers contain 5 objectives (1/8 correction
cover, 1/5 pre-RMS, 4/10 correction cover, 1 in & 1 ½ in.) all in matching
lacquered brass cans, an assortment of stage and sub-stage accessories
including parabolic condenser, general purpose condenser, dark ground,
sub-stage polarizer, nosepiece analyser, camera lucida, lieberkuhn, live box,
micrometer slide and wet cell, and the 3rd is not fitted but holds a
pair of forceps and a low power erecting lens set which screws into the end of
the draw tube in use. The large free-standing bullseye condenser is separately
mounted in the main case. This microscope set has obviously been someone’s
pride & joy as the accessories have been collected and the set expanded
over the years. The substantial case has a large brass handle & brass
hinges but is missing the lock & key.
It not only makes the most impressive display but also has enough accessories
to keep anyone busy for years.
An antique Smith
& Beck “Educational microscope” sometimes referred to as the “milk
box” or “shoebox” microscope. Richard Beck wrote a book, The Achromatic
Microscope, (1865) in which this microscope with all
its accessories and uses was featured. A facsimile of the book has been
published by SHL. Its unique design enables it to be packed into a very compact
(shoe box) type case. The microscope has drawtube course focus, thumbwheel fine
focus, a stage bullseye, slide clip, a plano-concave mirror and has the name “SMITH & BECK, LONDON”
and serial number “1820” (dating it to 1858) on
both the trunnions. The model was sold with all the accessories needed by
students to study a wide range of subjects, illuminating from above or below,
using polarised light (or not), measure the size of the subject and reproduce a
picture of the subject. The accessories included with
this instrument are: Polarizer,
Analyser, Camera Lucida, Live Box, Sub-Stage stop, a dark-ground and a
parabolic condenser, paper covered micrometer slide, wet trough with ledge, 2
eyepieces and 3 objectives. See no.176
in Turner's RMS book for a similar model. The mahogany fitted box is of the
“shoe-box” type and is in excellent condition with brass handle and hinges and
measures approx. 12 x 5 x 5 inches.
SMITH, BECK & BECK (1857 –1865)
An
antique binocular microscope by SMITH, BECK & BECK. This is a Smith, Beck & Beck "Second
Class No. 3 Stand". As illustrated in Richard Beck’s “The Achromatic Microscope”
It is a binocular, Victorian, brass microscope with accessories in it's fitted
“clamshell” type case. The name Smith, Beck & Beck,
31 Cornhill, London., and number 4072 is
engraved in script on the binocular tubes dating it to 1865, the year they
moved from 6 Coleman street and James Smith retired. The company name was then
changed to R & J Beck at this address. The microscope has thumbwheel
controlled rack & pinion inter-ocular separation, rack & pinion main
focus and thumbwheel micrometer fine focus, a Wenham prism, on a sliding shoe
to allow monocular or binocular vision, and
a square mechanical stage with rotating overstage. Beneath the stage is
a socket for sub-stage accessories, a plano-concave mirror in good condition on
an articulated arm. The stand has a reversed “Y” shaped foot. The microscope
comes with a host of accessories, including a quadruple nosepiece changer
(signed R & J Beck), a wheel of stops condenser, forceps, a
lieberkuhn, a pair of eyepieces with
top hat type shades, 4 objectives (2 inch, 1 ½ inch, 2/3 inch & 1/5 cover
correction), a wet cell, a twin diaphragm, free-standing bullseye condenser and
what looks to me to be a R & J Beck patented lever operated dark ground of
some kind. This microscope also comes
with a calibrated monocular tube with threaded bush to hold the erecting lens
assembly for slide preparation work. All this comes in the original clamshell
case with brass handle, catches and working lock & key. A microscope with some unusual features, made at the time
of transition in the firm when R & J Beck were just taking over from Smith,
Beck & Beck
R & J BECK (1865 – 1962)
An antique binocular R & J Beck "Popular” MICROSCOPE. This
is an as listed by Richard Beck in The Achromatic Microscope 1865. This all brass
binocular microscope comes with its accessories in it's fitted "clamshell" type case. The name is cast into the triangular folding
stand and the number (4724) is engraved on the
base of the microscope dating it to 1867. There is the original circular stage
with slide bar and spring clip, rack & pinion main focus and thumbwheel
fine focus, a twin nosepiece changer (signed R & J Beck), a plano-concave
mirror and thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion inter-ocular separation. The
microscope comes with a range of accessories in two drawers, including a wheel
of stops sub-stage condenser, a live box, a dark ground, a plain ring, a pair
of low power eyepieces and a pair of high power eyepiece, 3 objectives (one
inch, half inch and a cover correction quarter inch) all signed R & J Beck, a sub-stage polarizer and a nosepiece
analyser. Here are even some blank glass slides and slips. Everything is
original, as far as I can tell, including the finishes, which are lacquered
brass and arsenic black. All this comes in the original case with brass handle,
catches and lock but no key.
This
is an antique R
& J Beck "Popular Microscope" as listed by Richard Beck in
The Achromatic Microscope 1865. This all brass
binocular microscope comes with its accessories in it's fitted "clamshell" type case. The name is
cast into the triangular folding stand and the serial number 5096, is engraved on the base of the microscope dating
it to 1868. There is a circular stage with slide bar and spring clip, rack
& pinion main focus and thumbwheel fine focus, rack & pinion
inter-ocular separation and a single sided concave mirror. The microscope comes
with a range of accessories in two drawers, including a wheel of stops
sub-stage condenser, a wet cell, a pair of low power eyepieces a pair of high
power eyepieces, 3 objectives (1/4 in, 1 in & 2 in., all with matching dust
caps), a pair of forceps and some antique microscope slides by the best
preparers. At least 3 are by Topping and 9 are labelled SMITH, BECK &
BECK All this comes in the original
clamshell type mahogany case, which has old repairs to the lid, with brass
handle, catches and working lock & key.
This
is an R & J Beck "Popular Microscope" as
listed by Richard Beck in The Achromatic Microscope 1865. This all brass microscope comes with its accessories in it's fitted "clamshell" type case.
The name is cast into the triangular folding stand and the number 5221 is engraved on the base of
the microscope dating it to 1868. There is a circular rotating stage with slide
bar, rack & pinion main focus and thumbwheel fine focus, and a single-sided
mirror below the stage. The microscope comes with a
range of accessories in two drawers, including a wheel
of stops sub-stage condenser, a live box, a high power eyepiece, 2 objectives
and some antique microscope slides and slide preparation parts. All this comes
in the original case with brass handle, catches and lock
but no key. This microscope makes an impressive display as well as being a good
working instrument.
This is an R & J Beck "Popular Microscope" as
listed by Richard Beck in The Achromatic Microscope 1865. This all brass
binocular microscope comes with its accessories in it's fitted "clamshell" type case. The name is cast into the triangular folding
stand and the number (5925) is engraved on
the base of the microscope dating it to 1871. There is the original circular
stage with slide bar and spring clip, rack & pinion main focus and
thumbwheel fine focus, a good plano-concave mirror and thumbwheel controlled
rack & pinion inter-ocular separation. The microscope comes with a range of
accessories in two drawers, including a wheel of stops sub-stage condenser, a
parabolic sub-stage condenser, a pair of low power eyepieces and two high power
eyepiece, 3 objectives (one and a half inch, 2/3 inch and a cover correction
1/5 inch) all in matching R & J Beck lacquered
brass cans, forceps, wet cells, watch glass, free-standing bullseye condenser
and a lieberkuhn for the 2/3 inch objective. There are even some prepared
slides, blank glass slides and slips and material to make up slides with. All
this comes in the original case with brass handle, catches and lock but no key,
together with the instructions on how to use it in “The Achromatic Microscope”
by Richard Beck 1865.
An all lacquered brass microscope, in it’s original fitted mahogany case with
accessories and engraved on the base R & J BECK, LONDON and the serial number 8440 dating it to about 1877. The main focus is by
rack & pinion and fine focus is by thumbwheel-screw on top of the limb. The
microscope has a square stage with slide clips and a
socket beneath, to take the sub-stage accessories. The single sided concave
mirror is mounted beneath the stage on an articulated bracket above the sturdy,
cast brass, single pillar from the “U” shaped brass and lead filled base. The
microscope comes with very unusually sized eyepieces,
which are interchanged by first removing the “top hat”, taking out one
eyepiece, inserting another and then replacing the “top hat”. Other accessories include two RMS objectives (1/8 & 1/4
inch) with lacquered brass dust caps, a wet cell, a sub-stage condenser with
iris diaphragm and two eyepieces. The polished mahogany clamshell style case
has a working lock & key. The whole instrument is in good working order,
mechanically & optically, save for some age spotting and the microscope has all original finishes.
An all lacquered brass, single pillar microscope with
accessories in it's fitted case by R.& J. BECK LONDON & PHILADELPHIA The serial
number, 11034 dating it to 1883 together with the name and address are found on the
back of the foot. There is rack & pinion main
focus and thumbwheel fine focus. The circular stage has a glass overstage with lacquered brass fittings and blued
steel slide clip, allowing fine positioning of the slide. The position of the
glass and fittings are adjustable to accommodate different size slides and for
easy replacement of the glass if damaged. The plano-convex mirror is mounted on
an articulated arm from the joint, which allows it to be swung to the side of
the stage for oblique illumination. All this pivots on a compass joint above a
fine solid brass pillar rising from a flat tri-form base.
The microscope comes with a range of accessories
including two sub-stage condensers, two top hat type eyepieces and two
objectives (1/4 inch, & 1 inch) with lacquered brass caps, and an eyepiece
camera lucida. All this comes in the original mahogany case
with brass handle, hinges and working lock & key. The optics are all in
good condition. The microscope finishes are all original and the microscope is
in great working order.
A fine, all brass, single
pillar R & J Beck, microscope with accessories
in it's fitted case. There is rack & pinion main focus and thumbwheel
micrometer fine focus operating by lever on the stage mounted pillar and a twin
nosepiece. The circular stage has a glass overstage with lacquered brass
fittings and blued steel slide clip, allowing fine positioning of the slide.
The position of the glass and fittings are adjustable to accommodate different
size slides and for easy replacement of the glass if damaged. It has a
mechanical centring sub-stage with thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion
vertical adjustment and the plano concave mirror assembly slides on the same
limb as the sub-stage. All this pivots on a compass joint with lever arm
tensioner above a fine solid brass pillar rising from a flat tri-form base. The
name and address R & J Beck, London is
engraved on the foot together with the serial number 12135
dating it to 1885. The microscope comes with a wide range of accessories
including a sub-stage polarizer, two top hat type eyepieces and three objectives
(11/2 inch, 2/3 & 1/10 correction cover immersion) all in matching
lacquered brass cans, wheel of stops, dark ground in lacquered brass can,
general purpose condenser in lacquered bras can, nosepiece polarizer, a complex
set of wheels of stops, dark grounds and filters below a lever operated iris
(this assembly is threaded to take the general purpose condenser or the dark
ground) and a free-standing bulls eye condenser. All this comes in the original
case with brass handle, hinges and working lock & key. The microscope
finishes are all very good and the microscope is in great working order. A fine example of this very desirable model
Antique R & J BECK MICROSCOPE – A
fine, all brass, single pillar R & J Beck,
microscope with accessories in it's fitted case. There is rack & pinion
main focus and thumbwheel micrometer fine focus. The circular stage has a glass
overstage with lacquered brass fittings, allowing fine positioning of the
slide. The position of the glass and fittings are adjustable to accommodate
different size slides and for easy replacement of the glass if damaged. It has
a mechanical centring sub-stage with thumbwheel controlled rack & pinion
vertical adjustment and the Plano concave mirror assembly slides on the same
limb as the sub-stage. All this above a fine solid brass pillar rising from a
flat tri-form base. The name and address R & J
Beck, London is engraved on the foot together with the serial number 14827dating it to 1886. The microscope comes with a
range of accessories including a sub-stage achromatic condenser with perforated
diaphragm, two top hat type eyepieces and three objectives (2 inch, 1 inch
& 1/8 inch) all in matching lacquered brass cans and a Beale’s camera
lucida. All this comes in the original case with brass handle, hinges and
working lock & key. The microscope finishes are all very good and the
microscope is in great working order.
A
military example of the R.&J.BECK STAR microscope in a military case. The star mark,
it's serial number, 16890 dating it to 1890
together with the name and address R & J Beck,
London are found on the back of
the limb. The main body parts
are "arsenic black" on brass and lacquered brass. This microscope has
rack & pinion and fine focussing. The square stage has stage clips and, a
mechanical sub-stage with a variable iris stop is fitted under the stage. The plano-concave mirror
is mounted on an articulated arm from the limb, which allows it to be swung
over the stage for oblique illumination. The instrument uses the standard Beck
objectives. The two (a 2/3 inch and a
1/6 inch) objectives included here are both signed R.&J. BECK and the microscope comes with a signed
twin nosepiece changer and two eyepieces. The microscope comes in a military
style metal case. The optics are all in good
condition. An unusual military version of this “Beck Star” set.
A
comprehensive example of the R.&J.BECK STAR microscope. The star mark, it's serial number, 17591 dating it to 1891 together
with the name and address R & J Beck, London are found on the back of the limb. The main body parts are "arsenic
black" on brass and lacquered brass. This microscope has rack & pinion
and fine focussing. The square stage has stage clips and, unusually, a
mechanical sub-stage with a variable iris stop is fitted under the stage. The
plano-concave mirror is mounted on an articulated arm from the limb, which
allows it to be swung over the stage for oblique illumination. The instrument
uses the standard Beck objectives housed on the inside of the case door when
not in use. The three (a 2 inch, a 2/3
inch and a 1/6 inch) included here are all signed R.&J.
BECK and the microscope comes with a further free-standing bullseye
condenser, a twin nosepiece changer and an eyepiece. The microscope comes in a
mahogany case with brass handle, hinges and lock. The optics are all in good
condition and whilst this model is sometimes found in a mahogany case instead
of the more economical card case, it is rarely found with a mechanical
sub-stage and a free standing bullseye condenser. An unusually well appointed,
Beck Star model.
A
continental style microscope by R & J BECK Ltd., LONDON
This all brass microscope is by R & J Beck and is
engraved on the
base, R & J BECK Ltd, LONDON, 25629.
It has rack & pinion course and micrometer thumbwheel fine focussing. The microscope comes with 2 signed
objectives, a 1/6, & 2/3 inch, with lacquered brass cans. It has three
eyepieces, and it has a twin R & J Beck Ltd. nosepiece. The square stage
has slide clips and the centring mechanical sub-stage
holds an Abbe type condenser with iris type stop and swing-out filter ring. The
plano-concave mirror is mounted on an articulated swinging arm. All of this is
mounted on a single brass pillar above a "Y" shaped foot. The
microscope, which has all original lacquer, is in beautiful condition (allowing
for some age spotting) and comes in a mahogany case with accessories mounted on
the inside of the door. The case has brass handle, hinges, lock and is about 13inches high
A continental style microscope by R & J BECK
Ltd., LONDON This all brass microscope is by R & J Beck and is
engraved on the base, R & J BECK Ltd, LONDON, 25999.
It has rack & pinion course and micrometer thumbwheel fine focussing. The
microscope comes with 3 signed objectives, a 1/10, 1/6, & 2/3 inch, with
lacquered brass cans. It has one eyepiece and it has a triple nosepiece. The
square stage has slide clips and the
mechanical swing-out sub-stage holds an Abbe type condenser with iris type
stop. The plano-concave mirror is mounted on an articulated swinging arm. All
of this is mounted on a single brass pillar above a "Y" shaped foot.
The microscope, which has all original lacquer, is in beautiful condition
(allowing for some age spotting) and comes in a mahogany case with accessories
mounted on the inside of the door. The case has brass handle, hinges, lock and
is about 11inches high
A BECK LONDON MODEL 47 microscope, in
its original fitted mahogany case. The stand is
engraved with the maker’s name, address and serial number (33211) on the limb. The model type, “47”, is engraved on the shoulder. The microscope has a triple nosepiece changer
with signed optics (2mm, 16mm & 25mm) in matching
black-signed cans and two eyepieces (low & high power). The main focus is
by rack & pinion and fine focus is by thumbwheel
micrometer. The square stage has a full mechanical
over-stage with verniers, and sprung clip for secure holding of the slide. The
microscope has a mechanical centring sub-stage
comprising an Abbe type condenser, a lever operated iris and a frosted glass
diffuser on a swing-out arm. The plano concave mirror
is in excellent condition both sides.
The mahogany case is in good condition and has
its original working lock and key. The whole instrument
has all original finishes and is in excellent working condition, mechanically
& optically and is as fine an example as you will find anywhere today.
