Unknown maker (prob. England)
Portable Wet-Plate or Early Dry-Plate Camera c. 1860-1875
3 x 4
Notes:
This is another small camera constructed by hand by an unknown cabinet-maker. The hand-cut dovetail joints can be seen along the bottoms of the standards. It is most likely of English origin.
The lens is a Darlot Petzval-type lens; the seller, Benjamin French & Co., has engraved "B. F. & Co." on the side.
The camera has a number of interesting design features: 1) the folding bed is made rigid by pushing two long, wooden slats forwards; 2) the ground glass frame is held in position by springs (now missing and replaced by one spring), which allow the plate holder to be installed without removing the ground glass frame; when collapsed, the folding bed covers the back of the camera, and thus protects the ground glass from damage.
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