A large and very beautiful antique plate camera in the British Whole Plate (6½” x 8½”) format from the workshops of James Robinson & Sons of 172 Regent Street London.  This fine camera likely dates to the 1880s and comes complete with two lenses, two double dark slide plate holders, a viewfinder attachment and leather case.  The lenses, one an Instantanous Rectilinear and the other a Wide Angle Rectilinear, are both engraved 'J Robinson & Sons, Opticians, 172 Regent Street, London & Dublin. The viewfinder attachment is similarly engraved.The camera is 29cm high and measures 46cm at maximum extension.

James Robinson was an optician and camera maker with premises in London and Dublin.  Until 1892 he operated in partnership with his brother, John Bolton Robinson, an acclaimed photographer of the time. 

Condition: The woodwork is in excellent condition, still protected by its original French Polish.  Most of the brass is very good, again still with its original protective lacquer and largely unblemished with the exception of the struts which show some loss of lacquer and associated tarnishing.   Both lenses are very good with only minor cleaning marks and no signs of haze or fungus.  They are free of chips, cracks and other damage.  The larger of the two lenses is fitted with an iris which operates smoothly, the smaller lens has wheel stops.  The red leather bellows are generally sound, retain their original shine and feel quite strong.  However, they do have some edge wear and small holes to the corners, as is shown in the photos.  The ground glass focusing screen is in good order.  Both plate holders are in good condition.  The case is very solid and there is a lovely sheen and patination to the leather but also some edge wear as might be expected from its 150 years or so of age.  The central strap is missing.