A Newman & Guardia Universal B detective style box camera
N and G.
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1895 - 1912
Materials
Wood, Leather, Glass
Measurements
150 x 135 x 245 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524812
Summary
A Newman & Guardia Universal B 'detective' style box camera for 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 inch plates Lens: (unmarked) f6 lens Shutter: Newman & Guardia sector type 1/2 - 1/100 sec. shutter. The camera body is of wood covered in black leather, with a black leather carrying strap. It is of box construction, with internal sliding bellows operated by a brass handle and with a focusing scale. The camera front allows vertical and horizontal shift, and has a hinged front plate which can be raised to access the lens and shutter mechanisms. There are top and side viewfinders, with hinged covers, and top and side circular spirit levels. At the rear is a removable ground glass focusing screen, and a removable plate magazine for 12 plates. Markings; Maker's plate inside the lid above the plate magazine: "Newman & Guardia 92 Shaftesbury Avenue London W"; also stamped into lid: "B209". On shutter plate: "Newman & Guardia patent". Inside hinged front of camera: "B209" and "Rd. No.200964" On plate magazine: "Newman & Guardia London" and patent numbers.
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
N and G. , manufacturer