Accession Number

999.018.004.003a-c

Description

mahogany case with brass fittings; the case is hinged on one end with two brass screws; on each of the sides is a hinged brass clasp that holds the two hinged pieces together; the large flat top and bottom sides are removable wooden panels that slide on groves; the inside surface is painted black; the side marked with a black '1' in a ivory circle has two tiny movable brass levers; obviously to hold the glass plate in place; the panels are four strips of mahogany glued together, always in the same pattern: vertical piece glued on one side to three horizontal pieces, one narrower piece on each side of a larger piece on each of the large flat side; on the front of the stationary edge is a different number from the other (3; 4) glued flush into the wood; each is a 9cm diameter piece of bone(?) with a black number stamped into the centre.

Narrative

Research has not found the name John Trotter, listed on 24 Gordon Street, Glasgow. After research the style of the camera and case were not manufactured until 1882 in London, England by Hare. The particular design of our camera is dated to the 1890's.

History of Use

The equipment belonged to the donor's great uncle on his mother's side. He was born in the 1870's in Sussex, England and died in 1944 or 1945.

The donor was a student at Victoria College in Craigdarroch Castle.

Date

circa 1890

Dimensions

10.7 x 1.8 x 14.8 cm

Material

Wood, mahogany; Metal, brass; Bone

Technique

Machined; Handmade