A Shew Xit Camera
Shew
Category
Photographic technology
Date
Unknown
Materials
Mahogany, Aluminium, Leather, Brass, Glass, Oil
Measurements
102 x 142 x 170 mm
Place of origin
London
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525684
Summary
A Shew Xit Camera. The body is mahogany with aluminium reinforcing along edges and corners. The square bellows is leather and during use the lens panel fits into one of the three pair of slots in the folding panels. Once assembled in this way the structure is secure. The lens and plate holder are missing from this model. Also missing is the viewfinder. The format is quarter plate. The lens panel is aluminium and has a helical focusing mount. On the front face is a scale from 2 yards to infinity, whilst the top shows 3 marks '5 7 10',presumambly for close work on the front lens position. Both top and side have spirit levels and there are two tripod mounts. On the base is an ivory disc showing 'Shew & Co London W The Xit'.
Provenance
Donated to The Fox Talbot Museum by Ms Sue Cunningham
Makers and roles
Shew , manufacturer