Microscope; England, 19th century.

Microscope; England, XIX century.
Metal.
Manufactured by Beck limited, London.
Measurements: 42 cm; 16 x 23 cm.
Richard and Joseph Beck founded the optical material company R. & J. Beck in London in 1847. They were nephews of Joseph Jackson Lister, a renowned English optician and physicist who conducted important experiments with achromatic lenses. The firm manufactured a wide range of optical instruments: microscopes, telescopes, trench periscopes, lenses for optometrists and camera lenses, among others. R. & J. Beck's products were famous for their quality and affordability. One of its cameras was used by the famous British army officer Thomas E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. In 1880, the company began manufacturing the first true SLR camera on the market. In 1895 it became a limited company, and as early as 1947 R. & J. Beck participated in the British Industry Fair in various categories.