A rare R & J Beck 'National' Binocular Microscope dated from the Beck records as having been sold on the 28th January 1885 , engraved to the back of the foot 'R & J BECK, LONDON 12138', the microscope stands on 'Y' shaped foot with a small turned column holding the microscope on a compass type joint, plano-concave mirror on a long articulated arm in a gimbal, substage collar, sliding glass stage, screw fine focus with course rack and pinion focus to back of binocular bodytube, with Wenham prism in slide in/out drawer, it comes in a fitted French polished mahogany case with binocular eyepieces, objectives, and a fitted case of accessories. A really magnificent example in excellent condition.
 
R & J Beck occupy an especially important place in the history of the British microscope manufacturing with its beginning established in London, by Richard Beck (1827 - 1866) in association with James Smith (1800 – 1873), 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 case stands 34.5cm (13.58") high and the microscope 32cm (12.6") before being extended.