Mathein Pneumatic Shutter. c.1896-97 (the beauty of early camera shutters #10)

It’s been over four years since my last post about the beauty of early photographic shutters. I’ve been rephotographing my collection and thought to make a portrait of this rarely seen c.1896-97 Mathein Pneumatic shutter.

I've seen and owned a lot of early shutters throughout my years of camera collecting and I especially like shutters with engine-turned faces. Adding decorative markings on a shutter face doesn’t enhance its operation but does add a bit of elegance to the camera.

The shutter is mounted on a Henry Clay 2nd, which is posted here on CW at: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/122797-henry-clay-2nd-c-1896-97