Marion's Metal Miniature - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Marion's Metal Miniature

1888

Marion & Co.

London

England

Image of Marion's Metal Miniature

Lens:
c. f7, c. 10 cm Petzval type. Fixed aperture.

Shutter:
Guillotine with T and I settings.

Construction:
Blued metal body.

Format:
2" x 2" plates held in single metal slides.

Focusing:
To 20', rack and pinion adjustment to lens.

Attributes:
The box holds the camera, shutter, slides and a box of plates. It has a fitting to hold the camera when making an exposure. The lens has a long focal length for this size of plate, to focus at infinity the lens must be racked out some way leaving only a short amount for near focusing.

Serial Number:
21 .

With:
12 single metal slides. Focusing screen. Shutter. Walnut box.

In 1884 Marion introduced a small metal camera with a box shaped body, drop shutter and sighting tube. Four years later a new version - Marion's Metal Miniature - was introduced, this had a body of pyramid form. The sighting tube was dropped but the shutter remained. In 1888 three sizes were available - 1 ¼" square, 2" square, and 3 ¼" square. A lantern model was also made, this was a 3 ¼" square model with a Voigtländer Euryscope lens. The following year two more sizes were introduced, 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" and 6 ½" x 4 ¾".

The camera could be purchased separately or in an outfit with slides, case and developing accessories. The camera cost £2.5.0 or with slides and case £3.19.6. Within a few years Marion ceased to advertise the camera.

References & Notes:
BJA 1889, p. 10. BJA 1890, p. 19. Lothrop, Century, p. 40.

Further Information:
Marion's Guide to Photography, 1885. Earlier model. Coe, Cameras, p.124.

Illustrations:
Christie's Cat. 15/11/2005 lot 376 and 18/11/2003 lot 679. 1 ¼" square models. Christie's Cat. 8/7/1982 lot 147. Earlier model. Sotheby Cat.18/9/1981 lot 273. Earlier model.


Company Details:

Marion

Marion's Metal Miniature

Brin's Patent Camera

Kombi

Presto

Demon Detective Camera

Coronet Midget

Coronet Cameo

Ulca

Bobby

Minifex

Mikroma

Petal

Steky

Golden Steky

Gemflex

Riga Minox

Minox B

Micro 16

Mamiya Super 16

Minolta 16

Kiku

Hit and Mycro

Tessina

Minicord