The patent for this camera was started in 1894, it was sold by Marion as the 'Square Bellows Field Camera' though advertisements seem to date from around 1898. James Cole is shown as a licensed victualler of Stoke Newington, presumably it took some time to interest one of the photographic companies in the patent.

The distinguishing point of the camera is the exceptional rise and cross front that, it was claimed, did away with the need for swing movements. The rising front is by a tambour arrangement, moved by a rack and pinion, that covers the full height of the front panel.

The camera could not have sold well judging the number of known examples. The cross front carries the patent number and a serial number, there is also a different serial number on the base of the camera. The first of these probably shows the number of the Cole camera, the second is probably a serial number relating to the manufacturer.

The camera is best known from Marion & Co. advertisements but in the 1896 Photography Annual the camera was advertised by James Cole himself, the address given being 84 High Street High Barnet (possibly the Kings Head).