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Butchers Quarter Plate camera 'The Cameo', c1910

W. Butcher & Sons Cameo, an imported German, Mahogany (or maybe rosewood), brass camera with nickel plated fitments, for glass plates. Probably manufactured by Ica. Rising front and pneumatic shutter release cylinder. Nice, if rather primitive, particularly in the lens department. In common with a lot of early cameras, the lens board is not braced - this allows it to be pulled up with the tension from the leather bellows, resulting in distorted images and poor focus. Rather common in various guises and consequently not really sought after by collectors but it's got cute appeal and I love it. Although Butchers did make some photographic equipment they were primarily importing cameras from Germany at this time, the advent of the Great War* made this arrangement somewhat inconvenient, and they teamed up with Houghtons as manufacturer to form The Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co.Ltd, finally merging in 1926. By 1930 they sold cameras under the Ensign name. There is frequently no mention of Butcher on the pre Houghton-Butcher arrangement cameras. This particular camera is responsible for the existence of this Museum. This was my Grandmothers first camera, bought for her secondhand when she was twelve. It came to me in 1983, in excellent condition and has been maintained in working order since then. Ensign persisted in the use of "Cameo" as a name for many years, a later version may be seen here. Body No. 14582 Shutter, speeds B, T and I (instant, ie about 1/25sec) Lens, f/8 Condition, 4F *Subsequently known as WW1

616 roll film and Quarter Plate sheet film