I had to tidy the front room last week, and amongst the things that got relocated was a field camera that had been open, and on display. I have always thought it was a Thornton Pickard.
It is a mahogany, and brass, half plate triple extension. Looking at it while cleaning I notice that it does not actually have those white circular inlay buttons with the manufacturers name. The shutter has the Thornton Pickard inlay button, and ‘Time & Inst’
Having rummaged around the internet I understand that from about 1910 brass trims were added top and bottom to the front mounting plate for the shutter. This camera does not have such trims. There are however two brass items at the bottom of the front plate saying ‘British Made’
The bellows are tapered, and made from a light blue leather. The chord on the shutter is also blue with a dark red tassel. The lens cap is finished off with the same blue leather.
The lens is engraved:
‘Clement & Gilmer’
‘Paris’
It has a lever that operates the diaphragm. The aperture is graduated 6-8-11-16-22-32-44
I am not sure about the first setting of 6, as it could be a ‘C’
The lens stands 45mm, and is 40mm across.
There is a brass screw-on hood for the lens which takes the blue leather cap.
As for the camera, there is a serial number, 16126, stamped on the underside of the back plate.
It was the lens that caused me to think about making this post, but in for a penny…
So is the camera a Thornton Pickard, and if so which model, and when was it manufactured?
I would also appreciate knowing more about the lens.
With my thanks.
It is a mahogany, and brass, half plate triple extension. Looking at it while cleaning I notice that it does not actually have those white circular inlay buttons with the manufacturers name. The shutter has the Thornton Pickard inlay button, and ‘Time & Inst’
Having rummaged around the internet I understand that from about 1910 brass trims were added top and bottom to the front mounting plate for the shutter. This camera does not have such trims. There are however two brass items at the bottom of the front plate saying ‘British Made’
The bellows are tapered, and made from a light blue leather. The chord on the shutter is also blue with a dark red tassel. The lens cap is finished off with the same blue leather.
The lens is engraved:
‘Clement & Gilmer’
‘Paris’
It has a lever that operates the diaphragm. The aperture is graduated 6-8-11-16-22-32-44
I am not sure about the first setting of 6, as it could be a ‘C’
The lens stands 45mm, and is 40mm across.
There is a brass screw-on hood for the lens which takes the blue leather cap.
As for the camera, there is a serial number, 16126, stamped on the underside of the back plate.
It was the lens that caused me to think about making this post, but in for a penny…
So is the camera a Thornton Pickard, and if so which model, and when was it manufactured?
I would also appreciate knowing more about the lens.
With my thanks.
