Expert: David Silver - 2/29/2008

Question
Hi there, I hope you may be able to help me. I've been tasked with clearing out a loft for a sadly departed relative. I knew he had a casual interest in photography but I've been finding boxes of glass plates and all sorts of bits and bobs!

My larges find to date is a wooden (mahogony?) plate camera, it doesnt have any markings although there is a place where it looks like it once had a name tag.

I've put some photos of it here:

http://flickr.com/photos/robinkearney/sets/72157604006722712/

I'm trying to find out anything I can about it, age/maker/rough idea of price.

Anything you could add would be gratefully received!  

Answer


Hello Robin,

This is a generic amateur's "hand and stand" glass plate camera made in England sometime in the period 1895 to 1905.  Here in the USA we don't see them very often, but they're common as dust in Europe.  Despite the lack of a maker's name or any other identification, these always show an extraordinary level of craftsmanship.  We could guesstimate the actual maker, but there's no point...it was most likely an overstock item sold by the original manufacturer at a deep discount to a general store for sale to the general public.  This was a common practice among English camera makers.  Your example is particularly handsome, plus it has several original plate holders and even the lens cap, so I would suggest a fair market value of $325-$375.  They are NOT easy to sell, since it is such a specialized market, so feel free to e-mail me at <silver@well.com> if you need recommendations for collectors to contact.  If you wish to keep it yourself, only store or display it in a dry cool place, never in direct sunlight (the ultraviolet radiation causes all sorts of damage), never with the bellows fully extended (they will sag and weaken, and eventually unravel), and occasionally clean it with a small soft "camel hair" or similar brush.

Best wishes,

David Silver