Beck patent substage microscope condenser
Date1876
Inventory Number1122c
ClassificationMicroscope Condenser
Subject
Maker
R. & J. Beck
1865 - 1920
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsmicroscope: 44 × 25 × 24 cm (17 5/16 × 9 13/16 × 9 7/16 in.)
case: 15.9 × 47 × 24.2 cm (6 1/4 × 18 1/2 × 9 1/2 in.)
case: 15.9 × 47 × 24.2 cm (6 1/4 × 18 1/2 × 9 1/2 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis is a Beck "Small Best" convertible binocular-monocular compound microscope with a full complement of accessories. Due to the complexity, the objects have been divided into the following:
1122a: Beck convertible binocular-monocular microscope
1122b: Beck case with objectives, oculars, and common accessories
1122c: Beck patent revolving substage condenser
1122d: Beck Cheshire’s apertometer
---------------------------------------
This unusual substage condenser is mounted on a sleeve with 2 centering screws. The optical section is off center of the primary aperture and rotates over it, exposing 1 of 5 separate condensers mounted together in the housing. There is a spring and detente.
1122a: Beck convertible binocular-monocular microscope
1122b: Beck case with objectives, oculars, and common accessories
1122c: Beck patent revolving substage condenser
1122d: Beck Cheshire’s apertometer
---------------------------------------
This unusual substage condenser is mounted on a sleeve with 2 centering screws. The optical section is off center of the primary aperture and rotates over it, exposing 1 of 5 separate condensers mounted together in the housing. There is a spring and detente.
Signedon barrel housing: R & J. BECK / PATENT
ProvenanceAlexander Agassiz, Marine Biological Laboratory, Newport, Rhode Island, c. 1876; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, c. 1910; transfer by Thomas Barbour, MCZ Director to the Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 122), Harvard Medical School, May 18, 1936.
Historical AttributesThis Wenham-type binocular microscope by R. & J. Beck was Alexander Agassiz's personal instrument. It was used at his Marine Biological Laboratory in Newport, Rhode Island, where Agassiz summered. The instrument appears with Agassiz in a portrait that shows him working in this lab. Corrosion on parts of the microscope are probably due to contact with marine creatures and sea water.
This microscope was given to the Ernst-Lewis Collection on May 18, 1936 by Dr. Thomas Barbour, Director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
According to the correspondence between Conrad Beck, managing director of R. & J. Beck, and Dr. Frederic T. Lewis in 1939, the microscope is the type called the "Small Best" and was made in 1876. With all the accessories, it would have cost between £60 and £80.
R. & J. Beck
Date: 1876
Accessories: Beck patent substage condenser (1122c); apertometer (1122d)
Object number: 1122b
R. & J. Beck
Date: 1876
Accessories: oculars (2) in microscope; Darker's selenite retarding filters (3); wheel diaphragm; mechanical rotary stage; stage slider. Other accessories are in the case (1122b), including monocular draw tube; oculars (3); objectives in cans (5); empty can; Lieberkühn; polarizing set; slides; camera lucidas (2); etc.; plus a Beck patent substage condenser (1122c); and apertometer (1122d).
Object number: 1122a
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1907
Accessories: eyepiece telescope to magnify image
Object number: 1122d
Smith & Beck
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: Achromatic condensor; a darkfield condenser (Wenham's parabolic reflector); a substage set of aperture stops on a swingaway vane inside a sleeve; a nickel tweezers; a stage forceps; and a bull's eye condenser with a stand, a glass tray for the stage, Varley live box; case.
Object number: 1059
Smith, Beck & Beck
Date: circa 1860
Accessories: complete set of approximately 50 accessories in two boxes [see early file card]
Object number: 1237
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1878
Accessories: oculars (3); eye mask; Beck objectives with cans (2): 1, 1/6 in.; anonymous onjective: 1/15 in homog. im..; tweezers; triple nosepiece; Rousselet-type sliding stage; Abbe condenser; iris diaphgragm; cover slips (2); prescription envelope; instructions; lock parts; standing case with key.
Object number: 1362
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: objectives (3); paired oculars
Object number: 1273
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1879
Accessories: objective 2 in. Ross No. 20372 in original case; empty case for 1.5 in. objective R&J Beck; ocular
Object number: 1140
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1884
Accessories: oculars (2); double nosepiece; mahagony case with various parts (see description)
Object number: 1083
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: paired oculars; objective 16mm ; analyzer in mount; polarizer in mount; mechanical stage
Object number: 1328
