Wooden Book Form Plate holders

Ian Grant · Nov 16, 2019

Ron (Netherlands) and i have discussed how to identify Wooden "Book Form" plate holders, and the measurements needed.

These are typical Half Plate Book Form plate holders.

To understand how they fit I've include this image of an adapter I made, Rather than being slid in the whole way the bottom eged is located in the bottom groove of the bac in this position then the adapter or plate hold slides to lock it in place

The top groove is not always continuous allowing the holder to be slid into place but no further.

There's far greater variations between different Book Form plate holders than metal plate holders which makes life difficult.

These two drawings show how they work and the measurements needed:

The above illustration is the raer face of the book form holder. Most dimensions are self explanatory, C is the thickness of the top edge/tong of the holders, this usually has part of the edge/tongue cut away to allow quick fitting. E is the bottom edge. F is the over all length of the holders excluding the dark-slide tab

Ron has kindly added the A-I measurements needed to check possible fit.

We will both add examples and measurements of Book Form holders and what cameras we have that they fit in an effort to build up a useful resource.

Ian

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 16, 2019

Thanks for all the front work Ian. Here is a first sample of a what easier to find British half plate double holder in mahogany
made by Thornton Pickard.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,00
B = 0,48
C = 0,15
D = 0,12
E = 0,15
F = 8,00
G = 1,25 including slope (slope sometimes not there or hardly visible)
H = 5,25
I = 1,50 including slope
These do not have a notch for a slot at the side.

These are known to fit:
Thornton Pickard Triple Imperial Extension
Thornton Pickard Imperial Perfecta

Other members might report whether they fit other TP camera's like the (Royal) Ruby, Tribune, or Amber.

extra info:
On each innerside these holders have stamped a 3-digit number succeeded by a letter like 203Q and 204Q.
Further, the same holders with exactly the same dimensions were on the market but without the trademark.

Nodda Duma · Nov 16, 2019

Nice introduction and a noble effort. If you’d like, I can lend the measurements of the book holders I have in my collection.

I’ve found that the holder-to-camera dimensions vary more than the plate format... which makes sense since camera backs were not as standardized as later on. What makes it tricky to correlate is that holders were not commonly branded.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 16, 2019

Nodda Duma said:
Nice introduction and a noble effort. If you’d like, I can lend the measurements of the book holders I have in my collection.

I’ve found that the holder-to-camera dimensions vary more than the plate format... which makes sense since camera backs were not as standardized as later on. What makes it tricky to correlate is that holders were not commonly branded.

Thank you Jason, that would indeed help also if you could provide a scan of the holder and mention which camera(s) it normally would fit ... if known at all of course.

BrianShaw · Nov 16, 2019

Ian and Ron... fantastic thread. I have two old British plate cameras and holders. I’ll dig them out of storage and measure. I’ve alway been challenged (generally unable) to post pics though. The cameras have no markings and I’ve not researched enough to identify. If someone wants to PM an e-mail I’d be happy to send pic or scans.

Ian Grant · Nov 16, 2019

Nodda Duma said:
Nice introduction and a noble effort. If you’d like, I can lend the measurements of the book holders I have in my collection.

I’ve found that the holder-to-camera dimensions vary more than the plate format... which makes sense since camera backs were not as standardized as later on. What makes it tricky to correlate is that holders were not commonly branded.

Any information is useful Jason. I have quite a number of book form holders and only few match any my 7 or 8 Half plate cameras.

Ian

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 16, 2019

Here is a mahogany holder that came with one of my half plate Perken, Son & Rayment cameras.
The holder has no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,25
B = 0,45
C = 0,15
D = 0,13
E = 0,15
F = 7,90
G = 1,74 including slope
H = 4,52
I = 1,65 including slope
This one does not have a notch for a slot at the side.

These are known to fit:
Perken, Son & Rayment patent camera

Other members might report whether they also fit other Perken camera's like the Optimus, or older Lejeune & Perken camera's.

extra info:
Typically these holders do have two brass strips at the top of the slides instead of the more common wooden tabs.
On each inner side these holders have stamped a 1-digit number which corresponds with a 1-digit number on the inner side of the slides. In this one: a 1 and 2.
Further, the same holders with exactly the same dimensions were on the market with the imprinted tradename "Optimus" at the inner side.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 16, 2019

Another more common seen mahogany plateholder is this one by Houghton:
The holder has no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,10
B = 0,40
C = 0,18
D = 0,12
E = 0,18
F = 8,00
G = 1,25 including slope
H = 5,00
I = 1,75 including slope
Variants:
Some do have a notch for a slot at the side, at 3,55 inch from the bottom (see 2nd picture) or at 0,70 inch (see 3rd picture). I have 2 that do not have a notch at all.

These are known to fit:
Houghtons The Victo camera
Houghtons Triple Victo camera

Other members might report whether they also fit other Houghton camera's like the Victo Superbe, Tropical Victo (although it had teak holders in stead of mahogany) or possibly even some Sanderson.

extra info:
Typically these holders have a wooden tab at the top of the slides with a curve at the right side.
At the bottom sometimes a number is stamped like 5409 or 7678.
On one inner side one of these holders has a 1-digit number stamped, a 2. But others do not have any number inside.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 16, 2019

Another half plate mahogany holder which is probably by Houghton but has other dimensions than the one in #8:
The holder has no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 5,85
B = 0,38
C = 0,11
D = 0,11
E = 0,11
F = 7,96
G = 1,26 including slope
H = 4,80
I = 1,90 including slope
This one does not have a notch for a slot at the side.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
This one has nr. 29 stamped at the inner side of both the slides.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 17, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name and a very typical brass tab and release for the slides.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,19
B = 0,43
C = 0,19
D = 0,18
E = 0,19
F = 7,96
G = 1,85 including slope
H = 1,96
I = 4,15 including slope
These do not have a notch for a slot at the side.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
All corners have brass reinforcements.
The 3 holders in my collection have digits stamped at the inner side of the slides: nrs. 7 and 8, nrs. 25 and 26, and nrs. 27 and 28).

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 17, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name and brass reinforcements at the top - possibly by Watson & Sons.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,00
B = 0,43
C = 0,16
D = 0,09
E = 0,16
F = 7,75
G = 1,05
H = 5,35
I = 1,35 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 0,95 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown - but possibly matching a Watson & Sons camera

extra info:
The 2 holders in my collection have digits stamped at one of their sides: 12367 and the other 12894.
Further the inner side of the slides have digits imprinted: nrs. 21 and 22, nrs. 37 and 38.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 18, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name and brass reinforcements at the the top.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,11
B = 0,46
C = 0,18
D = 0,12
E = 0,18
F = 8,00
G = 1,26 including slope
H = 4,84
I = 1,90 including slope
These do not have a notch for a slot at the side.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
Typically these plateholders (have two in my collection) do not have any numbering to distinguish the film or plates!

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 18, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name and no hinges at the sides but instead at the top.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,07
B = 0,47
C = 0,16
D = 0,10
E = 0,16
F = 7,90
G = n.a.
H = n.a.
I = n.a.
These do not have a notch for a slot at the side.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
These plateholders do have an imprinted numbering at the outer side of the slides to distinguish the film or plates.
Further instead of wooden or brass tabs, the slides are pulled out by a little leather strap.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 18, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name and brass reinforcements at the below corners.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,11
B = 0,49
C = 0,16
D = 0,12
E = 0,16
F = 7,75
G = 1,53 including slope
H = 1,98
I = 4,49 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 1,50 inch from the bottom. Please note that the notch is made in the rim at the right side (see 1st picture)

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
-

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 18, 2019

A half plate teak holder with no trademark/name and brass reinforcements at the top and in the below corners.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 5,95
B = 0,48
C = 0,12
D = 0,10
E = 0,12
F = 8,00
G = 1,18 including slope
H = 5,44
I = 1,38 including slope
This one does not have a notch for a slot.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
Since the holder is made from teak wood and has brass reinforcements, it was possibly made for a camera that was meant to be used in the tropics.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 18, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name and brass reinforcements at the top.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,10
B = 0,48
C = 0,18
D = 0,09
E = 0,18
F = 7,76
G = 1,06 including slope
H = 4,81
I = 1,89 including slope
This one does not have a notch for a slot.

These are known to fit:
unknown but seen one that came with a Lizars Challenge camera; not sure whether it would fit.

extra info:
There are digits stamped at the inner side of the slides: a 10 and a 66 in the other.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 18, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,10
B = 0,44
C = 0,14
D = 0,12
E = 0,14
F = 8,00
G = 1,74 including slope
H = 2,60
I = 3,65 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 3,60 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
-

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 19, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,09
B = 0,44
C = 0,15
D = 0,11
E = 0,15
F = 7,75
G = 1,52 including slope
H = 3,73
I = 2,50 including slope
The rims at the sides are strongly rounded off and therefore harder to measure (C and E)
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 3,11 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
A number is imprinted at the top of the right side: 202 (see 2nd picture).
At the inner sides of the slides digits are imprinted: a 59 and a 60.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 19, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,04
B = 0,46
C = 0,13
D = 0,11
E = 0,13
F = 8,00
G = 1,79 including slope
H = 2,54
I = 3,67 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 3,36 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
At the inner sides of the slides digits are imprinted: a 220 and a 219.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 22, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name; actually no book form holder, since it can't be opened like a book but only by lifting the slides.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,15
B = 0,57
C = 0,15
D = 0,13
E = 0,15
F = 8,00
G = - continuous ridge
H = -
I = -
This one does not have a notch for a slot at the side.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
These holders at the sides do only have continuous ridges.
In my collection I have two of these holders which are the same apart from the fact that one has a third ridge in the middle of the sides (see 3rd picture).

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 22, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 5,95
B = 0,49
C = 0,11
D = 0,11
E = 0,11
F = 8,05
G = 1,18 there is no slope
H = 5,34
I = 1,53 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 3,54 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
-

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 22, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,10
B = 0,45
C = 0,14
D = 0,14
E = 0,14
F = 7,90
G = 1,65 there is no slope
H = 3,76
I = 2,49 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 3,36 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown

extra info:
The 2 holders in my collection have digits stamped at one of their sides: 1094 and the other 1163.
The inner sides of the slides have digits stamped: nrs. 39 and 40, and the other nrs. 1 and 2.
The ridges at the sides are strongly rounded (and therefore feel nice in the hands).

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 22, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name and brass reinforcements at the top - possibly by Billcliff or Chapman.

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,05
B = 0,53
C = 0,16
D = 0,09
E = 0,16
F = 7,83
G = 1,58 including slope
H = 1,37
I = 4,42 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 0,82 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown - but possibly matching a Billcliff and or a Chapman camera.
Other members might report whether the holders fit these cameras.

extra info:
At the top and at the below corners there are inlays with different wood.
The 3 holders in my collection have consecutive digits stamped at the inner sides of the slides: 1 and 2, 3 and 4, & 5 and 6.
These holders are distinguished by their typical hinges (see 2nd picture).

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 22, 2019

A half plate teak holder with no trademark/name - possibly by Sanderson / Houghton

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,09
B = 0,41
C = 0,17
D = 0,10
E = 0,17
F = 8,26
G = 1,26 including slope
H = 5,20
I = 1,80 including slope
This one does have a notch for a slot at the side at 0,89 inch from the bottom.

These are known to fit:
unknown - but possibly matching a Sanderson and or Victo tropical camera.
Other members might report whether the holders fit these cameras.

extra info:
The holders have a lot of brass screws as reinforcements and a double set of hinges.
The 2 holders in my collection have digits stamped at the inner sides of the slides: 29 (both slides) and the other 36 (both slides).
The finish on these holders seems more sustainable / durable than on regular holders.

Ron (Netherlands) · Nov 23, 2019

A half plate mahogany holder with no trademark/name - possibly by Sanderson / Houghton (compare to holder under #8)

Measurements in inches are as follows:
A = 6,09
B = 0,40
C = 0,18
D = 0,11
E = 0,18
F = 8,00
G = 1,26 including slope
H = 5,09
I = 1,65 no slope present
This one does not have a notch for a slot.

These are known to fit:
unknown - but possibly matching a Sanderson and or Victo camera.
Other members might report whether the holders fit these cameras.

extra info:
From the 4 holders in my collection 3 have digits stamped at the inner sides of the slides: nr.s 25 and 26, and two have nrs. 39 and 40

Wooden Book Form Plate holders

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