Camera, Thornton-Pickard, Imperial, Britain, 1904-1910
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1904-1910
'Imperial' extendable view camera with accordion-pleated bellows, manufactured by Thornton-Pickard, Britain, 1904-1910. The square camera has an Ensign symmetrical lens and a roller blind shutter. Designed as a field camera, it was ideal for outdoor photography and in use during the early part of the twentieth century (1904-1925).
It was compact, designed to fold up and was transportable, as indicated by the strap handle at the top of the body. It combined high quality optical instrumentation and craftsmanship, made of mahogany with brass fittings and an Ensign symmetrical f8 brass bound lens. Square wooden, foldable camera. Black leather accordion-pleated bellows. Brown leather carry strap on top. Brass fittings and knobs. Roller blind shutter. Rack and pinion focus. Ivory round inlay with brown text on top of shutter box. Roller blind shutter with a black tassel attached to ring and string. Ground glass in hinged wooden holder at rear of camera. Text around exterior of lens. Ivory round inlay in right side of rear standard with black text and image.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 4
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- mahogany with brass fittings
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 250 mm (Width), 280 mm (Depth), 255 mm (Height)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Thornton-Pickard Manufacturing Company Ltd.
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Inlay on shutter box: 'TIME & INST / PATENT / THORNTON- / PICKARD'. On lens: 'ENSIGN" SYMMETRICAL LENS F-8'. Inlay on rear standard: 'BRITISH / ENSIGN / [image of letter N inside a hanging shield] / TRADE MARK / MADE'.
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-1257553
- Museum object name
- Camera - Thornton-Pickard, 'Imperial', Triple Extension, Britain, 1904-1910
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- HT 29700
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.