COMPOUND BINOCULAR MICROSCOPE
MAKER:Smith & Beck
MODEL:'Best No 1'
c.1858-1865
SIGNED:'Smith & Beck, 6 Coleman St, LONDON'
MICROSCOPE SERIAL NUMBER: 1873
ILLUMINATOR SERIAL NUMBER: 130
This type of vertical illuminator, patented by Smith, Beck and Beck, uses a small coverslip as a reflecting and transmitting illuminator. The coverslip is held on its edge by a small knob which can vary its angle, or if turned so the slip is horizontal it can be removed through the thin slot for cleaning or replacement. This early design had only one size opening in the side to direct in the light,but soon various methods of regulating the diameter of the entering lightbeam were devised. In 1885 a version with variable apertures was announced in the JRMS and is shown here to the right. More sophisticated illuminators followed and a Review of Vertical Illumination article is available on this site.