Look what I just bought?

[moggi1964]

Err, what did I buy?

 

[Dan Fromm]

You bought a desk weight that may be able to take pictures. Is a shutter hidden in there?

 

[mshchem]

Err, what did I buy?

View attachment 292281 View attachment 292282 View attachment 292283

Format? Looks great!

 

[gone]

I don't know, but I want it.

This website could be a wee bit dangerous around Christmas.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I think the shutter is a stylish felt hat.

 

[MattKing]

I think the shutter is a stylish felt hat.

Perhaps a Leopard Skin Pill-Box hat?

 

[Kino]

Cue Mr. Ian Grant in 4, 3, 2, ...

 

[grat]

Based on the "Wood and Brass" website, it looks very much like an "A. Frank's Prestograph":

http://www.woodandbrass.co.uk/detail.php?cat_num=0092

But as there are some differences, especially in the way the lensboard mounts, I wouldn't call it a solid ID.

 

[moggi1964]

Based on the "Wood and Brass" website, it looks very much like an "A. Frank's Prestograph":

http://www.woodandbrass.co.uk/detail.php?cat_num=0092

But as there are some differences, especially in the way the lensboard mounts, I wouldn't call it a solid ID.

It would be lovely if it was given I work about a five minute walk from Deansgate Manchester.
Thank you for that.

 

[moggi1964]

You bought a desk weight that may be able to take pictures. Is a shutter hidden in there?

It hasn't shipped from the auction house yet but I will update this thread when I have it in hand. I'm thinking the shutter might be my right hand with a lens cap and my left hand with a stopwatch

 

[moggi1964]

Format? Looks great!

I'll let you know when it arrives. It's a lovely piece of work by the look of it and there will be a place on the shelf for it if it isn't useable.

 

[moggi1964]

I think the shutter is a stylish felt hat.

I have one already so that's one problem solved

 

[moggi1964]

I don't know, but I want it.

This website could be a wee bit dangerous around Christmas.

My advice, stay away from auctions Your money will disappear in a flash and then you'll start posting things like this thread.

 

[moggi1964]

Looks a bit like this one too.

An R Clarke Half Plate Mahogany Field Camera, 1880-1890, with unmarked f/8 brass lens, body, G-VG, lens, G, front element loose; Marked to top 'R. Clark, 31, Mosley Street, Newcastle'. Very little is known about R.Clark and it is not even certain if he was a maker or a retailer.

Image courtesy of thesaleroom.com

R Clarke Half PLate

• moggi1964
• Dec 4, 2021
• 1

 

[mshchem]

I'll let you know when it arrives. It's a lovely piece of work by the look of it and there will be a place on the shelf for it if it isn't useable.

Looks excellent. That lens looks very intriguing. These beautiful old cameras produce amazing results.

 

[Old_Dick]

Perhaps a Leopard Skin Pill-Box hat?

Blonde on Blonde.

 

[moggi1964]

Looks excellent. That lens looks very intriguing. These beautiful old cameras produce amazing results.

I am excited to see it.

On the complete opposite side of things I picked up a Fuji Instax 300 today for the holidays. Be nice to visit mum and leave behind some pictures. Did a couple of test prints and they aren't too bad at all.

Back to the 5x4 (I think), I've been reading about glass plates which is an amazing topic. Moving on to tin soon.

 

[Ian Grant]

As well as felt hats Altrincham was also the home of Thornton Pickard, so look for one of their front mounting shutters Altrincham Town Football team are known as the Hatters. the Mad Hatter in Alice and Wonderland is a refence to the poisoning suffered by workers hadling the felt used in the hat industry in th etown.

Looks like a half plate camera and could well be a Franks camera they ceased trading in 1897.

Ian

 

[Sirius Glass]

You need a broad brimmed felt hat and a lot of film. Go out and enjoy yourself.

 

[mcfitz]

As well as felt hats Altrincham was also the home of Thornton Pickard, so look for one of their front mounting shutters Altrincham Town Football team are known as the Hatters. the Mad Hatter in Alice and Wonderland is a refence to the poisoning suffered by workers hadling the felt used in the hat industry in th etown.

Looks like a half plate camera and could well be a Franks camera they ceased trading in 1897.

Ian

Mercury poisoning was the cause of Mad Hatter syndrome.

https://mgsblog.org/trending/what-was-mercury-used-for-in-hat-making/

 

[awty]

Very nice. Looks like bellows look OK.
Does it come with a back?
I have two half plate cameras, that were in far worse condition, now working and in action.

 

[Tel]

Looks like a plate holder and the top plate from a tripod in the photo there too.

 

[moggi1964]

As well as felt hats Altrincham was also the home of Thornton Pickard, so look for one of their front mounting shutters Altrincham Town Football team are known as the Hatters. the Mad Hatter in Alice and Wonderland is a refence to the poisoning suffered by workers hadling the felt used in the hat industry in th etown.

Looks like a half plate camera and could well be a Franks camera they ceased trading in 1897.

Ian

The stuff you learn on this forum. Thanks Ian.

Can't wait to get my hands on it so I can share more images and detail with you. We are in the middle of moving house so who knows when that might be but I think the excitement of when it arrives means unpacking will take a second place.

 

[moggi1964]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed, it is appreciated.

I promise to post some more images as soon as I have the camera in hand.

 

[Tel]

The stuff you learn on this forum. Thanks Ian.

Can't wait to get my hands on it so I can share more images and detail with you. We are in the middle of moving house so who knows when that might be but I think the excitement of when it arrives means unpacking will take a second place.

Good to know you've got your priorities right!