Expert: David Silver - 10/9/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a camera that appears to be a replica of the original Lewis-style daguerreotype model. The bellows appear to be modern, and the wooden body just lacks the feel of a true vintage camera. See photo. The lens is authentic, a Darlot Paris model with the B.F & Co engraving. I am aware some replicas were made in the 1970s. What do I look for to verify its origin?

ANSWER:

Hello Charles,

Oh my gosh, I'm 99% certain that's one of mine!  Starting about 30 years ago, I made many many excellent replicas (I also did some extensive restorations) of early rare cameras over about a 15 year period.  Not a few of those towards the end were intended for museum display, but earlier renditions were for open resale (represented as replicas, not genuine specimens) and some just for the fun of it.  What you have there looks specifically like the "Lewis" daguerreotype camera I cobbled together for the old antique and vintage camera museum that existed long ago in the Mission District of San Francisco.  It really wasn't a museum, but the front room to a camera repair shop operated by a superb craftsman who collected antique cameras on the side.  Quite impressive.  Long lines of nicely constructed glass cabinets lining the walls full of old cameras and other photographic treasures that customers had to pass by to reach the service counter.  I met the man when I was still in high school and had just started my interest in cameras, found the "museum" by accident one day, and soon learned of his desire to find the one thing he lacked in his collection; some representative piece from the daguerrian era.  A few years later in college, with my background in construction (my dad was a skilled furniture maker), after a few experimental attempts, I produced a pair of pretty darn good Lewis camera replicas based on what I saw in a couple of books on the history of photography.  Since that exceptional old fellow had been so kind to me and taught me so much when I was just beginning, I gave him one of the cameras, and he immediately put it on display.  What you think is an "authentic" Darlot lens is, well, yes, a real Darlot lens, but it's actually a much later 1890's lantern slide projector lens that I convincingly cut to accept waterhouse stops.  Since these are all petzval optical formulas (basically the same formula as the portrait lenses used way back when), and the external design for all lenses remained so generic for so many years, these projector lenses not only looked convincing but would also actually do the job.  In other words, that cameras works!  However, the thing that immediately gives it away is the black enameled mounting flange, a common feature on 1890's lantern slide projectors, but never seen on 1850's cameras.  Anyway, that little museum closed down in the early 1980's, and I fear the craftsman is long gone.  I haven't thought about the camera in literally a couple decades.  I began marking my replicas with a code after a few years, and it's always engraved somewhere inside the back.  Two numbers for the year, two for the month, two for the day, and then DS for me.  So for example a camera I completed on March 6 of 1991 would have a tiny engraved code showing 910306DS.  The camera you have won't have the code because it predates that period.  As for signs this isn't a real Lewis camera, you already figured that out, and my recognition (plus the NOT authentic lens) confirms it.  After the countless dozens of replicas and restorations I did back then, I don't have a single one here anymore, although several are accounted for in collections and museums.  I gave up the work many years ago when I no longer had access to an efficient work space, but the occasional interesting offer of a special commission drags me out of "retirement" sometimes.  I didn't think I would EVER see one of my earlier replicas again.  Wow, a blast from my own past!  I'd love to have that one back home to stay, but it's yours now, and I'm just pleased as punch to see it survived and remained in such fine condition.  If you're so inclined and have the time, please send me a message at the e-mail address provided below and tell me how you came to own this camera.  It might provide some clue as to what ever happened to that old man with his little museum.  Gosh, that was oh so long ago...thanks so much for sharing this with me!

Best wishes,

David F. Silver - President
International Photographic Historical Organization

silver@photographyhistory.com




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow, David: thank you for your reply. The chances of finding the maker himself off the web is very slim, but I happened to strike it lucky.
Well, I acquired this reproduction about 30 years ago at a camera trade show put on by the WPCA in Los Angeles, when I was a member. I don't recall the cost, but it was priced as a reproduction. I also have a 1/3-size repro of the original Daguerre camera which I bought at about the same time. I believe that one cost me $150. Anyway, I just love the look of this Lewis-style dag, but lack of space may force me to sell it.
Thank you again for your response. The collecting world is indeed fortunate to have a talented and caring individual such as yourself among its members. By the way, how many of these Lewis-type cameras did you eventually make?
With best wishes,
Charles Reuben
Los Angeles, CA

Answer


Hello Charles,

I made perhaps six Lewis style cameras altogether, and each was slightly different because they were not jigged from a specific template.  Only the first two I made do not have my identifying number inside.  I also made perhaps six American chamfered box daguereotype camera replicas as well, and I believe two of those were not marked.  I actually know where three of those latter ones are today.  I think I still know where one Lewis is, too.  It makes sense that you bought yours down at Pasadena because Eugene Pamfiloff, the old repair man with the little museum to whom I gave it, did retire in southern California sometime soon in the later 1980's, and he had told me before he moved that he was going to liquidate his collection.  William Carroll was supposed to help him.  But 30 years seems a bit too long ago.  One of us has the time line wrong, and it might just as well be me.  The years blur and I was very private about all that work back then.  I have one of those 1/3 scale Giroux cameras here in my office right now.  Wasn't that a Jerry Smith project?  Let me know if you decide to sell the Lewis.  Along with the dozen or so dag cameras I produced, I probably made another half dozen one-off reproductions of some rare items for custom orders, and after that is was dozens and dozens of repairs and restorations on choice pieces.  But that was my first!  I wouldn't mind having it back again.  Once again, thanks so much for sharing...

Best wishes,

David F. Silver - President
International Photographic Historical Organization

silver@photographyhistory.com