Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Compact Camera, c.1883
Glass Negative with a Pearsall Compact Camera
Sometimes unexpected things come your way. It does not happen often but this is about an experience that led to acquiring a rare glass plate negative featuring the equally rare Pearsall Compact Camera. I own one of the three known cameras and regularly search for Pearsall items; and this is something I would not have thought existed.
As background, on April 3, 1883, G. Frank E. Pearsall, a well-known Brooklyn based gallery owner and photographer, was granted U.S. patent number 275,073 for a portable "Folding Photographic Camera." It was unlike any existing apparatus; a radical departure from traditional designs because it was the first camera capable of folding into its own case to protect all delicate parts. While the name includes the term “Compact,” it is definitely not small or compact. Regardless, the camera is the forerunner to nearly all 1890s to early-1920s self-casing body patterns.
Historically significant, innovative features that changed the course of camera designs–such as this Pearsall Compact Camera–is one of several themes that drive my acquisitions. And the camera fits squarely into my interests.
Researching cameras’ backgrounds, acquiring original ephemera and accessories also play important roles. After purchasing the camera in 2008, I began looking deeply into Pearsall to understand his motivation to conceive and build a new style of equipment. The endeavor uncovered a number of interesting ephemera such as a tintype portrait of Frank, cabinet card and carte-de-visite studio images, Pearsall’s “Artist Photographer” business card, colorful trade cards, advertisements, and a nearly life-size, photo-realistic crayon portrait of a young lady drawn and signed by Frank: Not to mention learning about Frank’s gallery rivalry with his older brother Alva in the 1870s. These add to his legacy but, for now, do not form a complete narrative of the artist as a camera inventor. The pursuit of more material continues.
High resolution scan of the 4 x 5" glass negative reverted into a black & white positive. The white blemishes look like tarnished silver emulsion.
In early January (2023), an email popped into my inbox from John Clark, a collector I had not corresponded with for several years. He spotted an online item that should interest me:
“… just saw this image on eBay, of what appears to be a Pearsall Compact like yours ... don’t know if you saw it or would have any interest in acquiring it, but know you would at least want to see it ... it’s the only image I’ve ever seen of a Pearsall …”
As a side note, in over 30 years of collecting I have always been impressed with the camaraderie, generosity and helpfulness within the camera collector community. This is one of several 'unexpected' stories.
John (sadly, no longer with us) had a nice collection and a talent for seeking out hard-to-find cameras and accessories. What he found was a seller posting a large number of lantern slides and glass plate negatives recovered from a closed North Carolina studio. Examining the online trove, he noticed one glass negative showing a tripod mounted camera looking like the Pearsall Compact Camera on my website.
Numerous collectors, including myself, covet early pictures of photographers and their cameras, and this plate had exciting potential. Checking the online post confirmed an elusive Pearsall Compact Camera prominently on display. Its distinctive body and unmistakable brass bed supports are clearly seen and, overall, what I saw was a rare, undated 4 x 5" glass negative with the camera and tripod as the central point of interest.
The carefully composed picture was shot from a low viewpoint. All vertical lines are parallel, which means a camera with perspective controls might have been used to take the photograph. Dominating the background are a roll-top desk and bulky bookcase filled with volumes of books.
Although only in fair condition, the glass negative was desirable. Would a high-resolution scan reveal details about its origin?
With the glass plate finally in hand, I noticed the image has reasonable edge-to-edge coverage. I scanned the plate at 600 dpi hoping to see if book titles printed on their spines and items on the desk might be legible. The smattering of white blemishes on the positive black & white image are brownish stains that could be tarnished silver. These imperfections are probably due to problems from; improper storage in a humid environment, not thoroughly washing the plate after development, or accidental post-development chemical contamination.
Focus is on the camera and tripod, and everything outside the central depth-of-field plane lacks sharpness. Unfortunately, the book titles are beyond the optimal focal point and not rendered with enough clarity to read. On the neatly organized desktop are a changeable date stamping device, sheets of paper, and pigeonholes filled with more papers: a little sharper than the bookcase books but regrettably lacking satisfactory detail.
In summary, it is an odd setting for a camera of this type with its dark-cloth. Many early photographs of cameras were made in front of staged studio backdrops, yet this shot was taken inside an office-like room. Could it be a photographer’s administrative workspace? Whatever reason the photograph was made, the camera is the main subject and might hold a special meaning.
Determining the plate’s age is proving to be difficult. If this was either a cabinet card or carte-de-visite, the cardboard backs might include the photographer’s gallery information which could make dating easier. Considering the Pearsall Compact Camera’s first public disclosure was by a sales agent on March 1883, the picture could have been taken anytime from that announcement to the early 1900s. The furniture and lamp styles were available for a period of time, but my feeling is this being 1880s Victorian. Furthermore, the camera looks like it is in new condition, which conceivably means the plate could have been made closer to the camera’s first appearance.
Wouldn’t it be remarkable if research determines this is a photograph of Frank Pearsall’s office? You never know!
Color scan of the glass plate negative–before being reverted to a positive–showing spots of tarnished silver.
End Note: Pearsall must have been optimistic about forthcoming patent approval for his camera because, nearly one month before it was granted, he already had a sales agent. On March 10, 1883, L.W. Seavey–a supplier of photography studio accessories–placed an advertisement that is believed to be the first public announcement of Pearsall’s camera: “We are Agents in New York for Pearsall’s New and Novel Camera, “The Compact.” Has three new patented features: Is the quickest operated and most compact of any in use. Circulars and cuts on application.”
Refer to these Historic Camera website links for additional information about Frank and Alva.
Visit the Pearsall Compact Camera page
Visit the Pearsall Timeline - Reference page
Visit the Pearsall Patents page
Go to the Ephemera page
Return to the Self-Casing Cameras page
Copyright ©2026 by Rob Niederman - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED