Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Carte de Visite wet collodion plate camera, c.1860s "... how charming it would be if it were possible to cause these natural images to imprint themselves durably, and remain fixed upon the paper! "And why should it not be possible? I asked myself."

- William Henry Fox Talbot, 1844

 Lancaster Le Merveilleux 1/4-plate camera, c.1888
Before photographic apparatus was made of plastic and metal, beautiful cameras were hand-crafted of finely polished woods, brass and leather. The golden age of wood cameras lasted from the birth of photography in 1839 to the early part of the 20th century.

As the industry moves forward into a new era of digital images, the roots of photography can still be traced in its early cameras, advertising, and references.

Stop in and immerse yourself into the world of 19th century photographica as we move into the new millennium. This website has a variety of rarely seen wood cameras, related history, and 19th century camera advertising.		 New additions to the collection.
Cameras with two or more lenses.
Traditional
Portable hand or stand cameras.
Original references and advertisements of cameras in the collection.
List of cameras that I am looking for.
Cameras from the collection that are for sale.
Links to interesting camera collecting related sites.
Four classic 19th century cameras on display.
Calendar of camera events.
A guide to this website.
Updated: April 2009
Clockwise from top:
* Century No.7, c.1900
* Empire State Camera, c.1894
* New Model View, c.1895
* Scovill Waterbury View, c.1888
Visitors Since June, 1998



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Web Author: Rob Niederman
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