Moginie Portable Microscopes
MAKER: C. Baker
c. 3rd quarter 19th C.
DESCRIPTION:
These instruments are not in my collection and the images are shown here through the kindness of Dr Yuval Goren who kindly gave me permission to share them with you. The precursor of the 'New Travelling Microscope' the small 'Moginie' form of travelling microscope was first noted about 1867 in the JRMS. Although a tripod, the legs were hollow holding thinner supports for use of the microscope in an upright position.
About 1870 a larger Moginie type began to be marketed by Baker. This one could be set up as a tripod or on a cruciform base as shown to the left.
HISTORY OF MOGINIE TYPE MICROSCOPES
For more information about the history of these microscopes, please see the Micscape articles by Yuval Goren and R. Jordon Kreindler. Kreindler's 3rd edition article on the Moginie microscopes and related instruments is quite well written and informative.