Help uncover who made this 5x7 camera

Hi all!

I’m hoping this forum might be able to help me identify the person who built this quite lovely 5x7 field camera.

Based on the plaque I believe this was the 29th camera that Lippincott built, for R.A. Clift in 1999. The fact that there was a prominent camera repair book written by Joseph Lippincott has not escaped me, but I’ve found no information that suggests he made any cameras.

I bought the camera recently at an estate sale in Renton Wa (but it was in storage so was likely moved), I was told the owner had recently passed. I sent an email to inquire as to their name but haven’t heard back yet.

Hoping y’all can help!

I might be changing my mind about the plaque.

The camera came to me wrapped in a 2000 issue of the Arizona Republic. There was a photographer here in seattle Ray Clift who moved to Arizona in the 70s and died there in 2003.

Ray’s father appears to have been named “Frank Lippincott Clift.

I’m now thinking maybe “lippincott” is the name of the camera or model and R.A. Clift made the camera.

To top it off there is evidence of Ray being a very handy fellow.