Instantograph folding field camera, 1897
Lancaster and Sons
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1897
Materials
Wood, Brass, Metal, Paint, Leather, Glass, Card
Place of origin
Birmingham
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524698
Summary
Lancaster Instantograph folding field camera 1897, half plate size, by J. Lancaster & Son with patented lens and separate patented shutter. Plate holder for two half plates and one quarter plate with J.L & S manufacturer's shield matching one found on the camera. Camera is wooden with moulding black leather bellows, brass fittings and patented lens engraved with "J. Lancaster & Sons Patent Birm-am". F8 Rotary shutter and iris diaphragm. On top printed on white are two labels "THE 1897 INSTANTOGRAM PATENT" and "J. LANCASTER & SON BIRMINHAM". Below this is a small shield shaped manufacturer's mark engraved with "J.L & S OPTICIANS" and on ornate "L". To the rear is a glass focusing screen with large ink square drawn on glass. This can be opened using 4 double brass hinges, each etched with "LANCASTER'S PATENT". Separate shutter can be screwed on to front of lens. Brass ring housing metal shutter mechanism. Engraved with "LANCASTER'S PATENT". Plate holder is wooden with brass hinges and clips. Inside is painted black, with space on either side for a half plate and a black card rectangle. A central wooden frame has clips and recesses to house a quarter plate. Set into wood on the exterior is a metal shield with ornate " and other tarnished writing.
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
Lancaster and Sons, manufacturer