Posted 11 years ago
rniederman
(347 items)
This is a very small American field camera (front focusing pattern) that makes 3¼” x 4¼” images on glass plates. I was baffled by it for a long time and then realized it was a Mignon based on catalogue descriptions. At this time, I know of no other examples of this cute camera.
This stunningly beautiful camera is constructed of lovingly polished mahogany and includes a fine wide-angle brass lens, two-section wooden case and five plate holders.
The Mignon Bicyclists' Camera appeared in catalogues into the 1890s and, as with my Anthony Bicycle Camera (also posted on CW); it is odd that this also seems to be the only known example. At this point my opinion is that these really early bicycle cameras didn’t appeal to cyclists.
Price of a complete Mignon outfit (including lens, universal joint bicycle attachment and canvas saddle bag) was $70 in 1886; about $1,761 in 2012 currency ... a very pricy outfit at the time! Maybe the cost of an outfit was simply too steep for touring cyclists. By 1888, the outfit price dropped to $50.
Another wonderful camera! I don't know but suspect bikes back then were real "bone-shakers". Maybe they had problems keeping the glass plates from cracking.
Thanks, mustangtony!
Thanks, Bootson! And you bring up a good point about the bikes.
Thanks, blunderbuss2!
Thanks, vetraio50!
Thanks, Henry!
The more I see your cameras the harder it is to keep from beginning a collection myself, rob!
scott
Thanks, Sean!
Your very welcome Rob!!!!
Thanks, Eric!
Thanks, walksoftly!
Thanks, Scott!
Thanks, f64imager!
Thanks, Hardbrake!
Thanks, Sean!
Thanks, Moonstonelover21!
Thanks, ChePibe!
Thanks, februarystarskc!
Thanks, Brett!
Very cool camera Rob, you are definitely finding the cool stuff!
Thanks, Perry ... my collection is a culmination of nearly 30 years of acquisitions, hunting, refining, purging, more hunting, writing articles, even more hunting, etc.
Wow, you ought to be an expert with what you have there.
HE IS sign!
If you have have a camera/ photo question, rob is your man! He has proven to be a great resource for me and lots of other folks on this forum.
scott
Thanks for the compliment, Scott!
Well deserved-- I appreciate all of the camera ID help you have provided.
scott
Great to hear Scott and thank you! We have a few cameras around the house, mainly as display pieces. Not really any great value to them ( they are early portable Kodaks) but they are fun to find and look at.
One is the Vest Pocket which if I'm right was a very popular camera when it came out and a Autograpic Brownie.
Perry ... now you're obligated to post your cameras. And here's a link to a 2008 interview when I first met these cool CW folks: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/guest-column-an-interview-with-antique-wood-camera-collector-rob-niederman/
Great read on your article btw. Never knew these wood box cameras were so varied.
Thanks, aghcollect!
Thanks, windwalker!
Overdue thanks to Manikin for the 'love'!
Thanks, Oroyoroyisthatyourhorse!
Thanks, Lisa!