The Pistol Flashmeter, magnesium ribbon holder and original box
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1890 - 1910
Materials
Tin, Metal, Cardboard, Paper
Measurements
63 x 138 x 6 mm
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1524994
Summary
The Pistol Flashmeter, magnesium ribbon holder in original box. A gold and yellow gun shaped tin, printed with ornate writing showing the name of the product on the front: "THE PISTOL FLASHMETER. MAGNESIUM RIBBON HOLDER" and "INCHES" and "REGISTERED" with swirling decoration in gold. On verso is a measured rule labelled "10 CENTIMETRES", further swirling printed decoration and directions for use: “DIRECTIONS. Project the ribbon by rotating the disc by means of the thumb and finger until the length required is obtained. The scale enables the correct length of ribbon to be measured, thereby ensuriung uniformity of exposure when making a number of Gaslight Prints or Lantern Slides. For continuous burning, the ribbon may be slowly projected by steadily rotating the disc.” The magnesium ribbon is still present with the end of the strip protruding from the “pistol’s” barrel. The original box is made from orange cardboard with a printed label on recto in green, orange and white. The label depicts an illustration of the ribbon holder and is printed with: “MAGNESIUM RIBBON IN EXACT LENGTHS CAN BE MEASURED FOR ..ACCURATELY EXPOSING .. BROMIDE & GASLIGHT PAPERS, OR A CONTINUOUS LIGHT MAY BE OBTAINED FOR INDOOR PORTRAITURE, DARK INTERIORS AN COPYING ….” The interior of the box shows signs of visible discolouration through age where the ribbon holder has sat in the box.
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