Box of Educational Slides
ca. 1850-1859 (made)
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At the time of its making, this box of specimen slides, for use with a microscope or other lens, would give a considerable advantage to a child who was studying natural history. The majority of the slides are of insects, or parts of insects, but some other small creatures, such as spiders, are also included. The words and classifications used to describe some specimens, such as 'eft' (newt) or 'zoophytes' is now obsolete.
It is perhaps now difficult to realise how very important natural history was in the educational curriculum before the 1920s. The study of plants and insects, and to some extent animals, were among the few scientific subjects which were considered suitable for inclusion in the education of girls, and certainly the only ones which could easily be studied at home. Until the 1920s even the school curriculum had often emphasised natural history, since many schools had neither the staff to teach subjects such as chemistry or physics, nor any science laboratories in which to do the work.
It is perhaps now difficult to realise how very important natural history was in the educational curriculum before the 1920s. The study of plants and insects, and to some extent animals, were among the few scientific subjects which were considered suitable for inclusion in the education of girls, and certainly the only ones which could easily be studied at home. Until the 1920s even the school curriculum had often emphasised natural history, since many schools had neither the staff to teach subjects such as chemistry or physics, nor any science laboratories in which to do the work.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 7 parts.
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Brief description | Box of educational slides, natural history specimens, made in England, ca. 1850-1859. |
Physical description | Box of natural history specimen slides, part of an educational set. |
Object history | With B.5-2009, part of Lot 584 in the Sale of the Roger Warner Collection at Christie's South Kensington, 20-21 January 2009. The two pieces combined were bought for a total of £3,090, so notionally £1545 each. |
Historical context | Roger Warner (1913-2008) was a well respected antiques collector as well as dealer. |
Production | The three slides with the labels of the microscope manufacturing firm Smith, Beck & Beck should date from between 1851 and 1865. James Smith was the founder, and went into partnership with the Beck brothers, the second of whom joined the firm in 1851. Smith retired in 1865 and the firm became R & J Beck. |
Summary | At the time of its making, this box of specimen slides, for use with a microscope or other lens, would give a considerable advantage to a child who was studying natural history. The majority of the slides are of insects, or parts of insects, but some other small creatures, such as spiders, are also included. The words and classifications used to describe some specimens, such as 'eft' (newt) or 'zoophytes' is now obsolete. It is perhaps now difficult to realise how very important natural history was in the educational curriculum before the 1920s. The study of plants and insects, and to some extent animals, were among the few scientific subjects which were considered suitable for inclusion in the education of girls, and certainly the only ones which could easily be studied at home. Until the 1920s even the school curriculum had often emphasised natural history, since many schools had neither the staff to teach subjects such as chemistry or physics, nor any science laboratories in which to do the work. |
Collection | |
Accession number | B.6:1 to 7-2009 |
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Record created | March 26, 2009 |
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