Posted 10 years ago
rniederman
(346 items)
Let’s have some fun - can you guess what this is? Shown here is an extremely rare photographic accessory; I am aware of only one other in a collection. It is the size and shape of a sewing thimble with an open end and a sharp, spiky thing. It is satin finished metal and well made.
Anyone who guesses correctly will have my admiration and that of your CW peers. Otherwise, I’ll reveal its identity in a week or so.
PS: Wild comical speculation is always welcome!
************
It took just a bit over two days for CW crowd to figure this out. Pretty good!
For separating glass plates/negatives.
for poking myself in the eye everytime i leave the lenscap on?
It was used by celebrities to keep the first paparazzi at bay.
Very interesting. I have seen quite similar but never associated with photography. I will learn from this one.
Negative Picking?
Could it be used to crank or wind something in a convenient and hands free way?
for undoing thread ...lol
I came back to mark this so I get email updates. I can't wait to hear how you authenticated it for being used in photographic applications. Please keep us informed as the game goes on.
Some really funny comments. One person is really close. Keep 'em coming!
fhrjr2 ... I have original advertising and will add to this post later on. In 1888 this was listed for 15 cents (about $3.83 adjusted for 2013).
Something you don't want to forget you have on your finger when you pick your nose, scratch your eye or have a BM.
Photographer's mustache twirler prior to the saucy sitting.
Grandma's "attack thimble"
This is very interesting!!! Is there any way we can see more opposite views ?
A nose picker!!
A finger nail cleaner?
A Schmilblick! An early circumcision tool (Woody Allen's ?)
Used for adjustment to Lens.
New image posted showing the opposite side.
Great comments ... the CW folks never disappoint!
Thankyou for extra picture Rob!! im thinking now used for snuff . Tobacco.
I know! There was 10 of them! Part of the outfit of this strange creature :
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/133969-fetish-mask-with-working-zipper--don-po?in=loved-by-kyratango
LOL!!!!
Young Joan Collin's thimble?
This has my attention and I can't wait to see the advertisement. I do not for a moment doubt the age. I still have all my great grandfathers thimbles and he was no photographer. I am waiting to see how he improvised by using one of these. The ones with cross cut saw blades were easy to identify. This one is a bit more unique.
You sure want to remember you have it in your finger!!
Could use for the rotary telephone to dial!!
Maybe a letter opener?
I have to agree with 2 comments , it may be was used so they would not get finger prints on the negatives .
Sa wha, Eye4?!! Only 1 other thing I can think of other than a finger, -- & way,way,way too small!! Maybe it was custom made for the user & feel sorry for him.
Eye4, I think a vibrator is automatically eliminated!! LOL
Eye4, I sure don't think any girl I've been with would like that!! Well, maybe one!
Lol!!! BB2:)
I'm just "toying" with you eye4. Thought you knew me by now?
Maybe a BB2 Jr.! There's a story behind that eye4, best left alone.
Mmm... primitive photoshop device?
second choice ..would be..etching the negatives with info.. or dates ..that's it for me ..
for inserting contact lenses?
[that's to get us back on a lighter note!]
Hi eye ... it is meant to be on a finger as shown.
New clue ... it is a photography accessory but not directly used on a camera.
PS ... I really like some of the creative uses. And, some of the guesses are really close!
is it a lens tightener , like screw driver?
Hi ho2cultcha ... I think your "for poking myself in the eye everytime i leave the lenscap on?" is very funny! As a former freelance photographer, that hits home.
Clue ... eye, vetraio50 and David are (or were) on the right track.
Okay ... eye is as close as anyone is going to get unless you are deep into 1880s negative processing. David's first comment just about nailed it. vetraio50 and Sean (#29) get props as well. So, so close.
And there was deception in the way I photographed the position of my hand. In use, "The Efficient Plate Lifter" does exactly what its name says. The tip is meant to lift a glass plate out of a chemical tray. Everyone was thinking films but not glass plates. Also, only one plate at a time was developed. That means the tip curls upward to lift a plate.
The actual emulsion (negative) would not get scratched because it is facing upward in the developing tray. Otherwise it would scratch on the tray itself. So the only thing that is touched by the Efficient Lifter is the glass itself. The reason for this (and there were other plate grapping devices sold at the time) is that some forms of chemistry were very toxic but often discolored nails and fingers.
eye’s last guess was excellent. Pure rubber finger tips were also advertised in the 1888 catalogue ... a set of three cost 15 cents.
I'll post the advert in just a bit ... actually the whole page because it shows other plate lifting devices.
Mnay thanks Rob the great mystery and the fun as well !! this is great , I hope to sse more postings like this in the future!!!!
Drum roll please ... here is the advertisement. It is a scan from an 1888 W.D. Gatchell (Louisville, KY) photography catalogue. Fully illustrated and described! I posted the full page so that there is no question about attribution. Then again, look at the other cool stuff.
As always, thanks for playing and the terrific guesses. All are great!
Of course I knew that all along & just wondering if anybody else would know. LOL! Actually rniedman, I was just about to say that eye4 had it right. I too was thinking film. So my suggestions weren't even close, - but had fun with it!! Thanks for the puzzle. Looks like it may be homemade from a sewing spindle. Fun poste.
very cool that I see that Wedgwood made mortars and Pestels!!
Sean ... good catch ... maybe I'm too focused on cameras (pun intended) and should look more closely at the other goodies. Most of these early catalogues also show studio props you see in many of the pictures posted on Show & Tell.
Thanks, eye.
I could have used this to scratch my head trying to figure this out. Nice one rniederman. Its amazing what you could get for fifteen cents back in the day!
Thanks, BB2!
Your very welcome Rob :) im so glad you had posted the advert to this!! ;0
Thanks, pops52!
Ohhhh ... BTW ... the collodion bottles shown in the upper left are extremely rare - specifically the 'Cometless' model. Keep an eye out!!!
My first thought was of glass negatives & how difficult they would be to separate if like the advertisement said you where developing a number of them at once.
It would give you the power & dexterity to do the job.
I did a lot of searching for info on developing but got no where, I guess I should have asked an expert!
Excellent post!
Thanks, David. I was shocked how close you were right out of the gate ... well done.
this was a good ...............'-)
Thanks geo26e, kyratango, racer4four, Ben, aghcollect, and Radegunder!
Okay, makes sense! Thanks!
eye ... Thanks for checking. I suspect there are 'plate lifters' in thimble collections because, unless you have the advertising, who would think it was a specialized photographic accessory? I certainly would have thought it was a thimble if it wasn't for the photo catalogue reference. Maybe this post will inspire collectors to check other thimble collections.
I enjoyed the ride rniederman. I always like a Mystery. I hope we have more in the future They always keep everyone interested!!
Thanks, musikchoo! I have one or two more antique photography items that will make fun mystery posts.
GREAT posting-- I missed the start and enjoyed reading through it.
thanks for sharing.
scott
Bring them on mon! That was a fun one.
Great post, fun and education together, MORE PLEASE!
Thanks Scott, blunderbuss2 and kyratango!
Thanks everyone for the 'loves' and playing along!
Thanks, toolate2 and AzTom!
Thanks, Manikin!
this was a fun guessing game! thanks rniederman!
Thanks, ho2cultcha!
Thanks, surfdub66!
Thanks, antiquerose and hotairfan!