A beautiful antique folding camera in the British half plate format (4¼" x 5½") size, as manufactured by John Lizars of Glasgow and presented together with a wide angle lens by Charles Burr of London, a close-up/macro screw-in attachment, Thornton Pickard mechanical roller blind shutter, 3 dark slide plate holders and a good quality tripod. The lens is inscribed "C Burr, 7¼ x 4½, W.A., Adams & Co, London, 5258". The camera bears a makers plate for J Lizars and both the shutter and tripod have makers plates for Thornton Pickard of Manchester. The camera measures 43cm at maximum extension and stands 26cm high, 5ft when attached to the tripod stand.

Lizars established his company in 1830, operating initially from Glasgow’s Merchant City and making a wide variety of optical and scientific instruments. By the 1880s - around which time this camera was made - the company had grown significantly, with larger premises in Glasgow’s Buchannan Street and additional branches in Edinburgh and Belfast.

Condition: This camera survives in fine condition. The woodwork is excellent with only very minor scuffs and scratches. The bellows are extremely good, still fully light-tight. The bellows extension operates correctly, without slippage to the rack and pinion. The brasswork is very good indeed, still protected by its original lacquer with barely a blemish. The optics are very good, free from haze, fungus, scratches or any other defects. The mechanical shutter will require attention, the roller blind having become detached to one end. The tripod has been beautifully restored. The plate holders also show signs of restoration.

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