Blair Camera Co Boston Rare c1885 Whole Plate Field Camera Reversible Back Combi
This is a beautiful and rare American Whole Plate Field Camera by the esteemed Blair Camera Company of Boston. The camera is expertly crafted from polished mahogany, featuring high-quality lacquered brass fittings throughout. Included is a brass-bound lens engraved "R&J Beck, WH Walmsley & Co., sole American agents" and interchangeable whole plate/half plate backs, greatly increasing its versatility and collector appeal.
Feel free to review the images for a closer look of the actual item you will receive. This is a genuine collector's piece and a beautiful addition to any serious antique camera collection.
Key Details:
- Manufacturer: Blair Camera Co, Boston (clearly labelled)
- Model: I believe this is the Reversible Back Combination Model
- Age: c.1884-1886
- Construction: French polished mahogany and lacquered brass fittings
- Lens: Brass bound lens engraved 9x5 rect, R&J Beck WH Walmsley & Co. Lens is fungus/haze-free and mostly clear with just some visible dust specs, as to be expected.
- Interchangeable backs: Whole plate and half plate options included
- Condition: Exceptionally good for its age—minimal wear/age. Bellows appear intact. Brass parts mostly clean and move smoothly.
Historical Significance:
- Manufactured by Blair Camera Co. of Boston, a leading American camera maker during photography’s transformative era in the late 1800s. They were eventually bought by Eastman Kodak.
- This particular model represents significant innovation with its reversible back design, allowing quick transition between formats—an important advancement at the turn of the century.
- Equipped with a high-quality lens engraved by R&J Beck, WH Walmsley & Co., renowned for precision optics and significant contributors to photographic innovation.
- These cameras helped popularise large-format photography globally, significantly influencing photographic practice and artistic expression worldwide.
Included:
- The Blair Camera Co Plate Camera
- Beck Lens + Front Cap
- Whole plate back
- Half plate back
- Ground glass screen
Our commitment to you: Enjoy a worry-free 30 days returns period if the item doesn't meet your expectations, or you simply just change your mind. We aim to process orders within one business day and dispatch Monday - Friday. Postage via DPD or Royal Mail 24, tracked and well packaged (UK).
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