A 19th-century microscope by the renowned makers R&J Beck engraved with "London & Philadelphia" and the serial number 8495 on its Y-shaped foot, this instrument represents the precision engineering that defined the Victorian scientific era. This piece features a classic brass construction that showcases a warm, authentic patina from nearly 150 years of history. It comes complete with its original fitted mahogany case, which includes a selection of period accessories and slide storage, making it an exceptional display piece for collectors, historians, or those looking to add a touch of scholarly elegance to their interior decor. While the brass retains some surface tarnish—a testament to its genuine age—the mechanical integrity of the stand remains intact, providing a tangible connection to the laboratories of the 1870s. R&J Beck production records indicate that serial numbers 4713–9484 were manufactured during the period preceding 1881. Given that serial number 6283 is associated with circa 1872, this instrument (8495) can be dated to the mid-1870s.
The "London & Philadelphia" marking is a significant detail that reflects R&J Beck's strategic expansion into the American market during the late 19th century, referencing the company's dedicated American distribution outlet. Beck hired William H. Walmsley—a prominent figure in American microscopy—to manage their new Philadelphia branch located at 1016 Chestnut Street.
Walmsley was an expert in microscope slide preparation and a well-known member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Under the agreement, he managed the Philadelphia outlet and eventually became the sole American agent for R&J Beck products under his own company, W.H. Walmsley & Co., starting in 1884. Instruments marked "London & Philadelphia" were specifically intended for the US market. Because these instruments were often sold through the Chestnut Street location. Given the serial number 8495 (dating to roughly 1876–1877), this microscope falls perfectly into the timeline of when this Philadelphia branch was established. It is quite possible that this unit was one of the early pieces to feature the "Philadelphia" branding as the company began its formal partnership with Walmsley to capture the growing American scientific interest. An important layer of provenance for this piece,as it identifies it as an instrument that traveled across the Atlantic to serve the burgeoning American scientific community of the Victorian era.
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. Microscope 159 is signed ‘R & J Beck, London’ and is an example of the Popular microscope model of the firm. The serial number of the instrument is 4860 and, according to the production books of the firm, this instrument was produced in 1867. This model is a Wenham-type binocular microscope and started to be manufactured when the firm was still called Smith, Beck and Beck .
The line drawing is taken from The R & J Beck Popular microscope as engraved in Richard Beck’s book ‘A treatise on the construction, proper use, and capabilities of Smith, Beck, and Beck's achromatic microscopes’ from 1865. Antiquemicroscopes.co.uk.
The microscope is in good functional order and comes with a range of accessories, the key included fits but does not operate the lock.
The case measures 40 x 15.5 x 17.3cm, approximately 16" x 6" x 7".
We have a lot of experience in shipping microscopes all over the world and understand their delicate nature, please be assured that we undertake the packing of these beautiful items with the greatest of care.
