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Stockwell View Camera, c.1875
G.W. Parker Camera Attachment Patent

This patent is held by George W. Parker. While the Stockwell / Parker Photograph Gallery was probably short lived (less than two years), the partners likely maintained an ongoing business relationship. Stockwell's camera (left) is different Parker's but the plate changing system matches. It may be that Stockwell only licensed the transfer system for use on his own camera.

G. W. Parker's Feb. 2, 1875 patent for a "camera-attachment" (plate changing box). Page 1. This is the same patent date that appears on Stockwell's camera.
G. W. Parker's Feb. 2, 1875 patent for a "camera-attachment" (plate changing box). Page 2. This is the same patent date that appears on Stockwell's camera.

This patent illustration shows a sliding-box and a fixed bed camera. It does not match the folding bed, bellows version by Stockwell but is designed to use the plate transfer system. The external plate holder is attached to the body using a pair of hooks.

The plate transfer system illustrated on the second patent page matches the plate box and dry plate holder found with the Stockwell camera. Unfortunately the intermediary transfer mechanism is missing. Plates are loaded or unloaded by flipping the entire assembly.

Feb. 2nd, 1875 patent stamp that appears on the Stockwell camera's plate changing box.
Picture of Stockwell's View Camera with Parker's plate changing box.

The "pat'd" date of Feb 2nd, 1875 on the plate box is the same as the Parker's patent date. Both the camera and plate changing box have the same number (22), which might indicate an agreement was in place for Stockwell to use Parker's plate changing box. It is also an indication that the plate box was built for this specific camera.

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