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History of Science Museum

Two Gordon's Speculum Illuminators, by R & J Beck, London

Inventory Number 10205


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.10205

Subject
Surgery
Item type
Object
Primary inscriptions
.1: Baseboard: 'R & J BECK LTD OPTICIANS. 68. CORNHILL. LONDON. E.C.' Bulb: 'ROBERT & CO 100.16.R.2' .2: 'R & J BECK LTD OPTICIANS. 68. CORNHILL. LONDON. E.C.' .4: 'IMPI BRAND/ WIT FE'
Object type
Speculum
Dimensions
Height: 137mm Width: 285mm Depth: 222mm Weight: 1.7kg
Inventory No
10205

Description

Set of two Gordon's Speculum Illuminators, manufactured by R & J Beck.

Each illuminator consists of a rectangular oak baseboard which supports a cylindrical lamp housing. The lid of the housing can be removed to reveal a single 100 volt carbon-filament lamp. The lamp housing has three openings into which a glass rod can be inserted. These glass rods act as light guides to the sub stage of a microscope. Six glass rods are present, two of which are held in place on the illuminators, the remaining four are loose.

One illuminator has two bayonet sockets mounted in the wooden baseboard, connected to the lamp housing via a length of green wire. The second illuminator has just one of these bayonet sockets.

Illuminators have been stored in an open topped wooden crate.