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Mignon Bicyclists’ Camera by the American Optical Company; c.1886

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Wood Cameras141 of 283Another 1881 Whimsical Cartoony Trade Card for Frank Pearsall, Brooklyn PhotographerHermagis Petzval brass lens 300mm f4.5 Ultra Large Format
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    Posted 11 years ago

    rniederman
    (343 items)

    This is a very small American field camera (front focusing pattern) that makes 3¼” x 4¼” images on glass plates. I was baffled by it for a long time and then realized it was a Mignon based on catalogue descriptions. At this time, I know of no other examples of this cute camera.

    This stunningly beautiful camera is constructed of lovingly polished mahogany and includes a fine wide-angle brass lens, two-section wooden case and five plate holders.

    The Mignon Bicyclists' Camera appeared in catalogues into the 1890s and, as with my Anthony Bicycle Camera (also posted on CW); it is odd that this also seems to be the only known example. At this point my opinion is that these really early bicycle cameras didn’t appeal to cyclists.

    Price of a complete Mignon outfit (including lens, universal joint bicycle attachment and canvas saddle bag) was $70 in 1886; about $1,761 in 2012 currency ... a very pricy outfit at the time! Maybe the cost of an outfit was simply too steep for touring cyclists. By 1888, the outfit price dropped to $50.

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    Comments

    1. Bootson Bootson, 11 years ago
      Another wonderful camera! I don't know but suspect bikes back then were real "bone-shakers". Maybe they had problems keeping the glass plates from cracking.
    2. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, mustangtony!
    3. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Bootson! And you bring up a good point about the bikes.
    4. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, blunderbuss2!
    5. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, vetraio50!
    6. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Henry!
    7. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      The more I see your cameras the harder it is to keep from beginning a collection myself, rob!

      scott
    8. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Sean!
    9. SEAN68 SEAN68, 11 years ago
      Your very welcome Rob!!!!
    10. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Eric!
    11. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, walksoftly!
    12. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Scott!
    13. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, f64imager!
    14. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Hardbrake!
    15. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Sean!
    16. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Moonstonelover21!
    17. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, ChePibe!
    18. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, februarystarskc!
    19. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Brett!
    20. Signaholic Signaholic, 11 years ago
      Very cool camera Rob, you are definitely finding the cool stuff!
    21. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks, Perry ... my collection is a culmination of nearly 30 years of acquisitions, hunting, refining, purging, more hunting, writing articles, even more hunting, etc.
    22. Signaholic Signaholic, 11 years ago
      Wow, you ought to be an expert with what you have there.
    23. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      HE IS sign!

      If you have have a camera/ photo question, rob is your man! He has proven to be a great resource for me and lots of other folks on this forum.

      scott
    24. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Thanks for the compliment, Scott!
    25. scottvez scottvez, 11 years ago
      Well deserved-- I appreciate all of the camera ID help you have provided.

      scott
    26. Signaholic Signaholic, 11 years ago
      Great to hear Scott and thank you! We have a few cameras around the house, mainly as display pieces. Not really any great value to them ( they are early portable Kodaks) but they are fun to find and look at.
    27. Signaholic Signaholic, 11 years ago
      One is the Vest Pocket which if I'm right was a very popular camera when it came out and a Autograpic Brownie.
    28. rniederman rniederman, 11 years ago
      Perry ... now you're obligated to post your cameras. And here's a link to a 2008 interview when I first met these cool CW folks: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/guest-column-an-interview-with-antique-wood-camera-collector-rob-niederman/
    29. Signaholic Signaholic, 11 years ago
      Great read on your article btw. Never knew these wood box cameras were so varied.
    30. rniederman rniederman, 10 years ago
      Thanks, aghcollect!
    31. rniederman rniederman, 10 years ago
      Thanks, windwalker!
    32. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Overdue thanks to Manikin for the 'love'!
    33. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks, Oroyoroyisthatyourhorse!
    34. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks, Lisa!

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