Ascot Cycle Camera No.2 Shutter, 1899. (the beauty of early camera shutters #8)

There was a time when some shutters, something we take for granted today, were mounted inside of the lens board. For these cameras, the beauty is in how the shutter mechanics were housed inside finely polished mahogany enclosures.

Of the 20 folding plate Ascot cameras made by Anthony, only two variations were built with internal shutters. Anthony, one of America’s original camera makers, was not known for great build quality yet here we see extraordinary craftsmanship ... to the point of furniture grade finishing on a camera that was advertised for $16.00.

I am amazed at the condition of this camera because there are no significant marks from photographer’s fingernails scratching the finish while using the shutter.

The brass knob just below the lens cocks the shutter. Three different speeds are attained by turning the dial (lower left corner). There are two buttons to ‘fire’ the shutter; one for instantaneous (short exposures) and the other for ‘time’ (keeps the shutter open as long as necessary).

Ascot cameras are quite scarce and offered barely over a year (mid-1899 to 1900) before being discontinued.