Beck demonstration compound microscope
Datecirca 1878
Inventory Number1091a
ClassificationMicroscope
Subject
Maker
R. & J. Beck
1865 - 1920
User
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr
1809 - 1894
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions32.3 × 9.8 × 38 cm (12 11/16 × 3 7/8 × 14 15/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriesocular; objective
Bibliography
DescriptionThis is a Beck demonstration compound microscope. The instrument consists of a flat wooden base that holds a pillar carrying an angled brass tube on one end, and a kerosene lamp in a round brass tray on the other. A concave mirror on a moveable arm is attached to the same post holding the lamp. The microscope tube is attached to a circular stage which sits on a short post.
An revised verion of this microscope appears in the 1879 R. & J. catalogue under the name "Holmes's Lecture Room Microscope."
An revised verion of this microscope appears in the 1879 R. & J. catalogue under the name "Holmes's Lecture Room Microscope."
Signedon instrument: R. & J. BECK, London & Philadelphia
Inscribedon instrument: No. 8264
Curatorial RemarksNote on file card: "Missing since move to Allston Burr."
FunctionThis instrument was used for classroom demonstration by Dr. Oliver Wendel Holmes.
ProvenanceErnst-Lewis Collection, Harvard Medical School
Historical AttributesFrom a label by Dr. Lewis: "Professor John Quekett's 'Lectures on Histology, delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons in England were published in London (1852). To exhibit preparations to a large class, he used 8 traveling microscopes mounted on carriages and sent [them] from one observer to another.... Queckett's 'Treatise on the Microscope,' 3rd ed. London 1855, shows this theatre as its frontispiece (here enlarged at the back of the cabinet). Prof Holmes, fearing himself a fanatic in seeking to simplify and cheapen the mechanical parts of the microscope, dispensed with the tramway and devised the instruments here shown (1027-8,1090-1). They were passed from hand to hand around the class. On the left is what he called 'the uncouth approximation to the idea worked out to my content in the not inelegant instrument you see before you as now manufactured in Philadelphia. (The microscope on the right 1090) which I have used with satisfaction for a number of years' (OW Holmes, microscopical society address 1877)." [see early file card].
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 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 1885
Accessories: objectives (3); paired oculars
Object number: 1273
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: before 1889
Accessories: objective with canister; oculars (2); vertical illuminator attachment with iris and adjustable mirror; polarizer (analyzer missing); small leather case; extra coaxial illuminator mirrors (5)
Object number: 1204a
R. & J. Beck
Date: before 1889
Accessories: objective with canister; oculars (2); vertical illuminator attachment with iris and adjustable mirror; polarizer (analyzer missing); small leather case; extra coaxial illuminator mirrors (5)
Object number: 1204b
R. & J. Beck
Date: 1876
Accessories: Beck patent substage condenser (1122c); apertometer (1122d)
Object number: 1122b
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1889
Accessories: objective 1 1/2 in.; ocular
Object number: 1154
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: oculars (2); objectives (2); threaded brass sleeve; horizontal box
Object number: 1296