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Microscope (detail), made by Smith & Beck

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made in London

Postcard of Microscope (detail), made by Smith & Beck.
000-180-000-953-C
© National Museums Scotland

Microscope (detail), made by Smith & Beck

This photograph shows the signature on an achromatic monocular compound 'Students Microscope' made by the firm Smith & Beck in London in 1850. The signature on the body tube reads : 'Smith & Beck, / 6 Coleman St. / London / 324'.

By 1840, three new instrument makers, exclusively manufacturing microscopes, had emerged in London, who had learned how to make successful achromatic instruments. Through J.J. Lister's optical theory and their own remarkable skill, their microscopes were the best available optically. One of these, James Smith (d. 1870), seems to have worked exclusively for the trade until 1839, when he was assisted in business by Lister, with whose nephew Richard Beck he formed a partnership in 1847.

Besides their expensive Lister-limb design, Smith & Beck produced microscopes at about six guineas (£6-30) for the growing student market. These were pitched at a relatively low price in competition with imported Continental microscopes, and were listed in Smith & Beck's catalogues for over thirty years. This particular instrument was sold to a 'Mr Dillwyn' in January 1850.


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Online ID: 000-180-000-953-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  
Date: 1850
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References:
  • For Smith: see Turner, G. L'E. Hugh Powell, James Smith and Andrew Ross: Makers of Microscopes. In: J. North (ed.), Mid-Nineteenth Century Scientists (Oxford, 1969), pp 104-138. 
  • Nuttall, R.H. James Smith, and Smith and Beck; 1839-1852 Part I: The Microscopes. Microscopy 36 (1989), pp 288-300, 317. 
  • Nuttall, R.H. Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800-1860. Jersey, 1979, p 44. 
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