A fine antique mahogany and brass folding British half plate field camera by Thornton Pickard of Altrincham, Manchester, England. This is the company’s Imperial Triple Extension field camera, dating to around 1910 and comes complete with Thornton Pickard Time and Instantaneous mechanical shutter, Aldis No7 lens, one plate holder and a period tripod stand. A remarkable 54cm (21") when fully extended, and 25cm (10") high, it stands 1.5m (5ft) when mounted on its tripod stand.

Condition: The camera is in very good condition. The mahogany is close-grained and retains good colour and shine. The brass is in very good condition, protected by its original lacquer. The bellows are excellent. The bellows extension works smoothly without slippage to the rack and pinnion. The ground glass screen is original and in very good condition. The lens optics are clear and without cracks, chips, haze, fungus or separation. The iris is functional. The lens body has age-related tarnishing. The mechanical shutter is in working condition, though not callibrated. The cable release is temperamental. The double dark slide is a good fit. The tripod is in good condition with some age related wear.