The Kinora viewer. Hand operated viewer for Kinora reels. Wooden base, with hinged wooden strip bearing mechanism, viewing lens and metal eyeshield. Supporting strut holds viewer at approximately 45 degrees. Black enamelled viewer stamped 'The Kinora No 309(?)'. Fitted with flipbook, black and white photographs of a plough team (1967-207 Pt2/08)

This Kinora Viewer was made in Britain in 1912 and was marketed by Bond's Limited, 138 New Bond Street, London.

This is a simple folding wooden model. Originally invented by Lumière in France in 1897, the rights to the Kinora were purchased by the British Mutoscope & Biograph Company the following year. The first Kinora appeared on the British market in 1902. These home viewers came in different styles but were all based on the 'flip-book' principle. By turning a handle (bottom right), the Kinora reel revolved, causing each of the pictures mounted on the reel to flip over against a static peg. The moving pictures were viewed through the eyepiece.

Kinora reels were derived from a variety of cinema films, though from 1908 a camera was available for people to make their own Kinora home-movies.