Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1860s.
One such stand bears the Moginie, London stamp. Whereas the brass case of the microscope bears the C. Baker stamp.
This particular microscope was until recently owned by a former Head Master (a science teacher) who proudly owned it as a significant part of his collection. Since his death it was passed to his heir.
Dated: c.1860-65.
William Moginie (1828-1881) was a microphotographer and produced an extensive collection of microscopic slide images, some of which he sold, all taken using his own technique and equipment, first recorded in 1859. However his main achievement in this field was the design of this folding portable microscope which he had made for him and produced by C. Baker, of London (244 Holborn). Moginie initially lived and worked on these premises but was later recorded as having moved to 35 Queen Square, Bloomsbury, London where he is recorded as running his own optical lens and equipment business. He joined the Royal Microscopial Society in 1866.
On January 7th 1867, J. Newton Tomkins presented to the Royal Microscopial Society on Bakers new travelling microscope, stating that "The whole merit of this arrangement is due to Mr Moginie, of Baker's establishment, a member of our society; it is only after many trials that he has succeeded in bringing the 'Travelling Microscope' to its present effective form". Tomkins report was widely printed, including in Jabex Hogg's printed comments by the editor, and The Microscope.
His obituary in The Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society read: “William Moginie (elected 1866, died 13th December, 1881, aged 53). Mr. Moginie from early youth took great interest in microscopical and other scientific pursuits, and as an amateur was one of the first to produce micro-photographs, some of which have never been surpassed. He also made several improvements in the instrument, the chief being the 'Moginie Travelling Microscope’, one of the most convenient of portable Microscopes. Besides being well known as a practical optician, possessed of great mechanical ingenuity, Mr. Moginie was especially noted as a demonstrator, there being few who could exhibit an object with equal skill as regards definition and illumination. Microscopists have lost a prominent and valued member, and his considerable circle of acquaintances a kind and warm friend”.
Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1860s.
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Portable Brass Compound Microscope by Moginie & C.baker of London C.1860
