Artist's Hand Camera

1887

London Stereoscopic & Photographic Co. Ltd

London

England

Lens:

5 ½" Black Band Rectilinear. Bayonet lens mount. The lens also carries the number 15442, this is possibly the number of the French manufacturer. Serial no. 88031 .

Shutter:

Rotary sector, 4 speeds 0 - 3, spring powered and regulated.

Construction:

Polished wood. Dovetail joints.

Format:

3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates held in double dark-slides.

Focusing:

On the lens mount to 5'.

Attributes:

Large reflecting view-finder.

The Artist's Hand Camera was the London Stereoscopic Company's version of the Kinegraphe by Français, it was produced in quarter-plate, 4" x 5", half-plate and stereo 6 ¾" x 3 ¼" sizes. The camera was probably not produced for very long. Soon after its introduction by L.S.C. the Cosmopolite (also made by Français) was being sold.

The camera is not a true twin-lens reflex as focusing is not seen in the finder. Unused dark slides are stored within the camera. The price of the quarter-plate model was £10.10.0.

References & Notes:

BP 6814/1888. BJA 1889, p. 863. PA 1891, pp. 309, 310, cxxvi.

Further Information:

Smith, Antique cameras, p.109.

Company Details:

London Stereoscopic Co.

Early Photography