A Victorian brass microscope by English maker R & J Beck in 1890, coming in it's original mahogany case with a pull out drawer containing slides and three additional lenses, two in brass cases. This model was called the "New Star". The slides are variously marked, "Bombus subteraneaus", "Starch of Green Pea", Parasite of a Dog" and "Seeds of Virginia Tobacco". The microscope is firmly retained in place in the case by the shelf at the bottom.
 
R & J Beck occupy an especially important place in the history of the British microscope manufacturing having been established in London by Richard Beck in association with James Smith and later to be joined by his brother, Joseph Beck. Richard and Joseph Beck were nephews of Joseph Jackson Lister, who was a respected British optician and physicist who experimented with achromatic lenses and perfected an optical microscope. In commissioning the manufacture of his improved microscope, Lister worked with James Smith, an employee of the instrument-making firm of William Tulley, to create the stand. James Smith went on to establish his own optical instruments workshop in 1837. Through this relationship, Lister arranged for his nephew, Richard Beck to be an apprentice under Smith in 1843. In 1847, James Smith entered into partnership with Richard Beck, and the company was re-named Smith & Beck. In 1854, the company was renamed to Smith, Beck and Beck, as Richard Beck's brother Joseph Beck joined the company in 1851. James Smith retired in 1865 and the company became R & J Beck and this name lasted for long time. In 1866, Richard Beck died at an early age of 39, and Joseph Beck carried on the business. In 1895 the company became a limited partnership (R & J Beck Ltd). By 1968, the company was a subsidiary of the Ealing Corporation of USA. In 2019, Beck Optronic Solutions Ltd is a descendent of the former R & J Beck Ltd.
 
The Microscope stands 27.5cm (10.83") high before being extended, 33cm (13") after being extended and the case stands 33cm (13") high.