Camera

Object Name:

Camera

Object ID:

1991.076.211

Date:

1890-1900

Description:

Camera, folding field. Owned and used by William E. Virgin (1860-1932) of East Concord, NH. Mahogany with brass fittings, for 5" x 7" glass plates. Leather carrying handle on top. 5" x 8" glass viewing plate on back. Rotating tripod head built into base, with six brass sockets (two for each tripod leg); fits folding wooden tripod (1991.076.213). Black bellows. Brass lens/shutter assembly must be removed before folding camera. Three plate holders, marked "W.E. VIRGIN". Lens patented 1886; plate holders patented 1890. All contained in wooden carrying box with hinged lid. Lid interior stamped twice in ink: "W. E. Virgin, / Landscape Photographer, / East Concord, N.H." Camera very similar to 1890s Anthony Compact camera. See accession record for more detailed descriptions. 1894 Indian Head penny found inside.

A. Camera body
B. Brass lens assembly
C-E. Wooden plate holders
F. Wooden carrying box, 11.75" x 8.4" x 11"

Material:

Wood
Metal
Mahogany
Brass
Glass
Leather

Dimensions:

H-10 W-10 L-4 inches

Provenance:

William E. Virgin (1860-1932) was a landscape photographer in East Concord NH. This camera, along with Virgin's Kodak Folding Brownie camera (.212), tripod (.213) and 210 glass negatives, descended to Karl Virgin, William's grandson, who sold them to Patrick Grace in the 1970s. NHHS bought the cameras, tripod and remaining 34 glass negatives (the others had been sold by Mr. Grace at auction.)

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase

People:

Virgin, William E. (1860-1932)

Subjects:

Anthony Compact, Camera, Field, Folding