Eclipse Apparatus folding field camera by J.F. Shew of London.
Shew
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1885 - 1894
Materials
Wood, Metal, Leather, Glass, Textile
Measurements
Fully extended size 160 x 145 x 180 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524688
Summary
Eclipse Apparatus folding field camera by J.F. Shew of London. Shallow body and two wing supports to which the lens board was held by tension. Mahogany body with dark brown leather bellows and brown leather carrying handle. Tripod bush Darlot lens in helical focusing mount. Inter-lens shutter named "Shew's Eclipse Central Shutter". 3¼" x 4¼ plates. Plateholder fitted to back of camera with two dark slides, one numbered "5" and the other "6". Brass clasps and hinges on plateholder. The fitting for the extra viewfinder is missing - screwholes are evident. Also a red-brown leather lens cap with black velvet lining which fits loosely. Markings: on top of body is a circular ivory disc printed in black: "J.F. Shew & Co. Sole Makers, Newman St. London,Eclipse Apparatus, Patent No.4102" On shutter: "Shew 2720" and on focusing lever: "Shew & Co, London W1, Patent".
Provenance
Part of the Fenton Collection. A gift from British Film Institute in 2017. From 1986-1999, part of BFI collection for the Museum of the Moving Image. BFI purchased collection in 1986 from James Fenton's Museum of Photography, Port Erin, Isle of Man 1976-1986
Makers and roles
Shew , manufacturer