Camera ['The Rover']

Maker and role
J Lancaster and Son Limited, Manufacturer
Production date
Circa 1895
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Object detail

Accession number
1965.156
Production period
Description
Camera - the "Rover" ¼ plate box magazine.
Lens: f10, c.5 ½", single achromat, iris diaphragm scaled f10, f20, f30.
Shutter: Lancaster See-Saw, two-blade guillotine, air powered, self-capping.
Construction: Polished mahogany.
Format: 12, 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates held in internal changing mechanism.
Focusing: Fixed.
Attributes: Reflecting view-finder.
With: Leather case for concealment.
The Rover is a very distinctive detective camera with rounded ends and polished mahogany finish.
Unexposed plates are held in a chamber at the top of the camera, moving a lever on the side of the camera moves a spring in the chamber and allows a plate to drop to the bottom of that chamber. Moving the lever in the opposite direction opens the chamber allowing the plate to slip into the exposing position. After exposure a flexible shutter (tambour type) is opened by a slide on the base of the camera and the exposed plates drops into a rear chamber.
Marks
J. LANCASTER & SON / BIRMINGHAM Maker's Mark
The "Rover" / PATENT. Label
Credit Line
J Lancaster and Son Limited. Circa 1895. Camera ['The Rover'], 1965.156. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).

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