Ashford, J. New Patent Camera, 1887 .

Ashford, J. | New Patent Camera | 1887 | Tailboard |
Catalogue No. 0197.
A rare hand-dovetailed quality camera from James Ashford, 179, Aston Road, Birmingham. Made to patent No. 541 of 1887. The patent specified the method of folding. The bellows detach at the front, then, using unique hinged brassware, the back and bellows are folded forwards into the recessed bed of the camera, and the front panel hinges back and down to cover it. Thus the lens can be left in place on the front of the camera, instead of having to be removed as on so many cameras of the period, and the ground glass is protected. Only dedicated dark slides can be used; one is present with the camera.