E.I. Horsman Co., New York, NY

Horsman Eclipse 5x7¾"

A manufactured camera identical to the Eclipse 2 and Eclipse 3, except in a 5 x 8" (5 x 7¾" ground glass); Serial (or Assembly) No. 27
The carrying case is an original Horsman, stamped "Eclipse", not associated with this camera when purchased, but added to this camera since it fits perfectly.

1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-a-w.case-2000.jpg
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-a-1600.jpg
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-b-750.jpg1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-c-750.jpg
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-d-750.jpg1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-e-750.jpg
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-f-ground.glass.closed-1500.jpg
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-f-ground.glass.open-1800.jpg

Bottom.  The knurled set screw is a modern replacement.
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-bottom-1500.jpg

Top
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-top-1500.jpg

Close up of single achromatic-type lens in brass barrel with integral flange (installed with nails instead of screws.  An insertable stop is installed, held by a circular spring.
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-lens.unmarked.single.achromat.w.insertable.stop-1500.jpg

Stamp on the inside top of the carrying case
1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-stamp.inside.case.cover-1500.jpg

 

 

Owner Alteration and Restoration to Manufactured Specifications
As received, the camera had been altered by the owner to have a tilting rear standard.  The rear standard is supported by an L-shaped brass piece, while the front has a white wood spacer to make it the same height as the rear standard.
The brass pieces and the spacer have been removed, and the camera re-glued back together in the above images to show the camera as it was manufactured.

1305.unknown-counterfeit.horsman.eclipse.no.3-5x7.7-alterations.before.restoration-1500.jpg
 

 

 

 

Analysis of Construction to Show Horsman Manufacture

This camera appears to have been made by Horsman due to its construction.  Below are three examples of identical construction to an Eclipse No. 3

1.  width of both the front and back standards are identical.  The box joints have identical width and height.
1044.1305.comparison.rear.std-.horsman-eclipse.no.3-4x6-b.rear.std.detail-1000.642.jpg

2.  Same shape of hook on the bottom to make the platform rigid (the one on the left was installed upside-down).  Same diameter tripod mount.
1044.to.1305.comparison.horsman-eclipse.no.3-4x6-bottom.lever.detail-1000.874.jpg

3.  Same width of wood used in the standards.  Same slot cut for the focus locking lever (which is missing on the right).
1044.1305.comparison.rear.lever.slot-.horsman-eclipse.no.3-4x6-e.lever.slot-1000.649.jpg

 

 

 

 


Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1890
Construction: rear focus via push-pull; no swing; non-reversing; no lens board;  ground glass frame hinges down
Materials: cherry body and base; black leatherette bellows; brass hardware, varnish finish
Sizes Offered: 5 x 8" (5 x 7¾ ground glass size)
Notes:
     T
he E.I. Horsman Co. made the simple and inexpensive Eclipse No. 2 and Eclipse No. 3 cameras cameras given as prizes to children for selling magazine subscriptions

      This camera, constructed in the same manner (sides of the box showing from the front) as the Eclipse No. 2 and Eclipse No. 3, nearly identical except for the plate size of nominally 5x8.  Its ground glass size is 5x7¾" for some reason, and it really doesn't look like a 5x8 plate could work.  Maybe it was 5x7, but no plate holder came with the camera, so this isn't known.  It is significantly larger than the half-plate No. 3.  This 5x8 size was never advertised by Horsman.  This camera's lens is installed directly into the camera front, and has an integral (cheap) flange, like many lenses found on the No. 2 and No. 3.  The only difference between this camera and the Eclipses is that its platform is L-shaped to fit wood sliders rather than having a slotted platform to fit metal sliders.

References: 

also see Dan Colucci's Horsman article:
http://members.aol.com/oct0969/hors.htm

 

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