A "Klito" No.6 falling-plate, magazine box camera.
Houghtons Ltd
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1904 - 1905
Materials
Wood, Mahogany, Brass, Metal, Glass
Measurements
150 x 125 x 485 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524894.1
Summary
A "Klito" No.6 falling-plate, magazine box camera for 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" plates. It has a 'Ensign Anistigmat' lens. The camera body is made of wood covered with black leather and there is a black leather handle fixed to the top. Two brilliant view finders, one on the top and one at the side. The front of the camera has a cut-out circular hole for the lens and two circular reflecting finders. The front has a hinged door at the side which opens to reveal the lens. The inside is lined with polished mahogany. The inside of the front is lined with polished mahogany and attached is a brass hinged moveable plate to cover the lens and two viewfinder holes. The brass plate in engraved with a registration no.: "Rd 389460". Also attached to the inside of the front is a small, white plastic, circular trade mark label, printed in black: "British Made Ensign N Trade Mark". The lens is mounted on a mahogany block. Lens markings: " Ensign Anistigmat Series VII No. 0 Patent". Underneath is the dial showing the fstops, 7.7, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32. The two brilliant view finders are framed in square brass mounts situated in the top corners. The shutter release mechanism can be seen inside, attached by a small spring and chain. Below the lens is mounted a small oval brass plate, engraved with the word: "PATENT". On the righthand side is a metal thumbscrew which turns to extend the black leather bellows. Also on the righthand side of the camera is the black painted metal maker's label, markings: " "KLITO" No.6 BRITISH MADE" The rear of the camera has two metal hooks which pivot to open the divided back door for removing plates. The inside rear is painted black wood. There is a spring on the door and the no. "166" is stamped into the bottom half of the door. There are two metal plates inside; each plate is stamped with a registration no. "353727". On the top of the camera is mounted the metal sliding knob to release the plates, allowing them to fall into the bottom section.
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
Houghtons Ltd, manufacturer