Wizard No. 77B folding plate camera by Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co.
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1902 - 1905
Materials
Wood, Metal, Leather, Glass, Plastic
Measurements
Closed size 140 x 165 x 68 mm
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524770.1
Summary
Wizard No. 77B folding plate camera manufactured by Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co, New York. As this company originated (see General Note below) on 6 August 1902, this enables the earliest date of production to be established. 5" x 4" plate size. Mahogany body, covered in black leather externally and polished wood internally. Brass shutter surround, with variable speed, dial marked "Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co.", patent date of July 23 1901, and stamped with "Wollensak Opt. Co., Rochester, N.Y., USA". Polished white metal (nickel) fittings and brilliant finder. Maroon leather bellows. Leather handle on side, stamped with "Wizard". Rising and falling front. White plate affixed below standard bears the model name printed in black: "Wizard No. 77 B". Flap on rear to access ground glass viewing screen. Tripod bushes on base and side.
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.