This is a ferrotype button camera roughly shaped like a telescope. The 1910s were a popular time for button photographs and many novelty cameras were produced. The base contains four troughs, these all held a combined developer/fixer. Having four troughs allowed the photographer to continue working while buttons were being developed. Unexposed buttons are loaded through the 'eye-piece' of the telescope and pushed forward by a spring. The shutter is operated by a bulb release. Operating a lever on the side of the camera allows the exposed button to drop into the developing bath in the circular base of the camera and the next button to be held in the exposing position.

This type of camera was mostly used at the seaside or fairgrounds.