E. FRANCAIS KINEGRAPHE

An important reflex camera, 9x12cm, exposures on dry plates, polished mahogany body stamped inside (12), brass carrying handle, waist level reflector, retailer's plaque stamped LONDON STEREOSCOPIC CO 106 & 108 REGENT ST W & 54 CHEAPSIDE, EC and another stamped PATENT, brass bound Petzval taking lens engraved "Stereoscopic Co Artists Camera 4 1/4 x 3 1/4 Blackband Rg No88031", lens no.16908, with rack and pinion focusing, Waterhouse stop, internal rotary shutter, brass bound slide focusing viewing lens. This exceptionally rare camera was first described to the members of the Societe Francaise de Photographie on 4th March 1887 and is one of the earliest known twin lens reflex cameras. A similar camera is housed in the collection of International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House. Literature: Eaton S. Lothrop, Jr, (1973), A Century of Cameras, p.35