Lothian stereoscope

Region: United Kingdom    Period: 1890–1930   
The Lothian Stereoscope, Baird, Scotland
The Lothian Stereoscope, Baird, Scotland
© Stereoscopy History

The Lothain stereoscope is a detachable stereoscope that can be disassembled into four components. The lenses are mounted on adjustable arms that can be moved to support inter-ocular adjustment. A fabric septum is positioned between the lenses to separate the left and right fields of view.

Focusing is achieved by sliding the stereoview holder along the viewing axis, a mechanism similar to that used in the Holmes-Bates stereoscope. The stereoview holder is fitted with two slots, allowing it to accommodate both 9 x 18 stereoviews and slightly smaller formats.

When the sliding tubes and stereoview holder are removed, the stereoscope can be used for viewing stereoviews printed in books.

Related items:
9 x 18 format  Baird, Andrew Hamilton  Book stereoscope  Holmes-Bates stereoscope  Inter-ocular adjustment  Septum

Specifications:

Classification:
Hand-held / Single-view
Introduction:
1895
Designer:
Andrew H. Baird
Maker:
Andrew H. Baird
Construction:
Wood, metal
System:
Open
Medium:
Paper
Format:
8 x 19
Lens:
Convex
Lens focus:
Yes
Inter-ocular adjustment:
Yes

Patents and registrations:

Number: 7749
Improvements in stereoscopes
Filing: 18-04-1895, Applicant(s): Andrew Hamilton Baird. via: worldwide.espacenet.com

Further reading:

  • Wing, Paul. Stereoscopes: The first one hundred years (1996) , p. 50
Published: 24-03-2026    Last modified: 12-06-2026