Microscope (detail)

This photograph shows the signature on a microscope made in London between 1850 and 1870. The signature on the base reads: 'BAKER / 244 High Holborn / LONDON'.

Some of Charles Baker's trade literature claimed that the firm was established in 1765, but it first appeared in the London street directories for 1851. Thereafter, it rapidly became one of the providers of second-ranking microscopes for the latter half of the 19th century.

In 1855 Baker produced a catalogue listing and illustrating a series of bar-limb microscopes similar to those made by Andrew Ross, but not so large or so expensive. Baker's largest cost £13-10-0, considerably less than those produced by Ross. This microscope would appear to be one described as 'a smaller microscope, without mechanical stage, but having a sliding object holder ... £6-15-0'.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-933-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1979.70
• Date: 1850 - 1870
  Between 1850 and 1870
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: BAKER 244 High Holborn LONDON
  Microscope, achromatic compound
  
• Dimensions: 430 mm H
  
• What: Microscope, achromatic compound
  
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Microscope Collection
  C. Baker, 244 High Holborn, London (Maker)
  
• Where: England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: Achromatic compound microscope in brass, with 2 objectives and eyepiece, signed by C. Baker of London, 1850 - 1870
  
• References:
  • For Baker, see Clifton, G. Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London, 1995, p 14. 
  • Nuttall, R.H. (1979): "Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800 - 1860" 
  • Nuttall, R.H. Microscopes from the Frank Collection 1800-1860. Jersey, 1979, p 47. 
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