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DeMoulin Trick Camera: Photography Pranks are Priceless

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    Posted 14 years ago

    rniederman
    (346 items)

    "Now then, look perfectly natural, and remain very quiet for just a moment" the photographer says in a deliberate voice after posing his subject and preparing the tripod mounted polished wood camera with brass lens. In a nonchalant motion, the bulb is squeezed and both photographer and subject await the final result.

    It's a scene that has replayed itself since the invention of photography. But if the subject is posing in front of a c1910 - 1930 DeMoulin camera, the outcome is always surprising. Instead of the soft sound of a shutter opening, a strong stream of water suddenly erupts from the lens showering the formerly smiling and now startled subject.

    The rare 8” x 8” Trick Camera looks like the real thing. In preparing of a shoot, the faux pneumatic shutter release is filled with water and attached to a tube in back of the camera. The photographer then goes through the usual ritual by pretending to focus while looking through a peep hole in the lens.

    The Trick Camera was one of many novelty items, costumes, gag devices, and furniture sold to Lodge and Fraternal orders by DeMoulin Bros. & Co. of Greenville, Illinois. (Note: The company is still in business and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1992.)

    And yes, the camera really works! One day, I decided to show off a newly acquired "vintage wood camera" to one of my sons. Yet somehow I failed to mention the true nature of the camera as he eagerly posed for a demonstration.

    Mounted on top of a vintage tripod, the camera looks very convincing even when closely examined. Indeed, a strong stream of water shot out from the lens and drenched my son! I won't describe the retaliatory chase around the house and having to explain a wet son and wall to my wife.

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    Comments

    1. Hardbrake Hardbrake, 12 years ago
      All I can say is Oh Boy "I LOVE IT" What a nice find. Hardbrake
    2. rniederman rniederman, 12 years ago
      Thanks, Hardbrake!
    3. rniederman rniederman, 12 years ago
      Thanks mrmajestic1 and Vwcollector!
    4. rniederman rniederman, 12 years ago
      Thanks, officialfuel!
    5. rniederman rniederman, 12 years ago
      Thanks, Scott!
    6. rniederman rniederman, 10 years ago
      Thanks, farmlady!
    7. rniederman rniederman, 10 years ago
      Thanks, tom61375!
    8. rniederman rniederman, 10 years ago
      Thanks, michaeln544!
    9. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      ho2cultcha
      SpiritBear
      Windwalker
    10. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks, pops52!
    11. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks, Elisabethan!
    12. rniederman rniederman, 7 years ago
      Thanks, oldpeep!

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