can I borrow your truck by Richardphotos
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Description
The Hunter Penrose 'process camera' was first manufactured in 1893. They were used to make photographic plates from which letterpress or 'process engraved' printing plates were produced.
The process involved a light sensitive emulsion being coated on to a copper or zinc plate. The glass negative produced by the camera would be exposed in contact with the printing plate and the image transferred. The metal plate was then chemically etched to produce a relief of the image, which could then be loaded into a forme with text (hot metal) and printed.
In the early 1890's a process of halftone screening photographs with a dot structure was invented to allow the continuous tone pictures to be reproduced by letterpress printing. Before that, although photography had existed since 1842, it had not been possible to incorporate photographs into printed matter and all illustrations had to be laboriously hand engraved.
The advent of 'process engraving' was therefore almost as impactful as the Apple Mac years later, in changing the face of the printing industry.
Hunter Penrose built thousands of the these cameras and sold them all over the world. The last wooden bodied cameras were built in about 1962!
Using its camera building technology, Hunter Penrose also, at times, built cameras for purposes other thanreprographics for printing. An interesting example is a camera recently found in amuseum at the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore (shown right). The camera was used for taking portrait photographs of guests.
Probably one of the biggest Penrose cameras we've seen recently is the one shown below installed in Australia. It would probably originally have been built for a cartographic application. The camera was built in 1920, and takes a 35" x 45" plate. Standard lens (not the one in the photo), is a 1800 mm f18 (depth of field can be measured with a micrometer).
Today, cameras are hardly used in the reprographic process, except for special applications such as cartography and screen printing. The image capture process is now done by digital scanners.
If you're trying to date a camera and yours says A W Penrose, then it is fairly old and certainly prior to 1927 when the company became Hunter Penrose. Valuations can vary between
Comments (44)
XoxoTree
Wow weeee! Jackpot. Goldmind. I wouldn't mind having one of these. Great shots.
GBCalls
Super find and history lesson! Excellent work!
VDH
Great shots and very interesting!Excellent Richard!
1010
Very interesting Richard, it really makes me appreciate the modern camera. We came a long way. Thanks for explaining the images too.
Zacko
Yeah...i think im gonna stick to my Nikon D200 actually, LOL. Cool find and neat history lection. #:O)
Sekadhar
I have only a small car - Corsa - that I can borrow to you, if you come here! Of, course photo is excellent as always!!!!
RodolfoCiminelli
Impressive historical chameras......!!! Wonderful photo series my friend.....!!!
rainbows
Super set of photos, Richard. Very interseting information too. Thank you for this. Happy day hugs to my very kind Sir. Di.
miladyblu
CIAO!!Very impressive images and very interesting informations of this precious historical cameras!!would like so a large pleasure for me visit this place and to see with my eyes all these historical cameras!!thank you for sharing my dearest friend Richard!!I wish you a happy day and a excellent week!!A big kiss and big hugs!!
bluliner35
my first job as a pro was working in the camera room, shooting PMT's for a newspaper. NIce shot.
nikolais
amazing products impressive capture looking back to the past. thank you a million.
Gor111
Oh now I know whay you always post so brilliant take photos! With such high quality equipment I coulsd also post such wonderful photos! LOL It's a real historical shot! Thanks for sharing with us! Bravo!!!
angelbearzs
that is cool and excelllent image:)
Syltermermaid
Excellent captured all this wonderful old cameras, but I'm honest I think my little digital one is easier to carry around!!!LOL Marvelous also you expalnations!!! Thank you for sharing!! Hugs Ute
Biffowitz
That kind of stuff is fascinating huh! thanks for the info, and the interesting shots!
Digimon
And to think that they once called this a "Pocket camera!" LOL! WOW!! That's a big'un you found there Richard!! What a marvelous relic from the golden age of photography!!
tmathise
Yup, they just don't make 'em like they used to, that's for sure! But then, I'd take any digital SLR cam, or even a 35mm film camera over one of those babies! Excellent work Richard! Your research, your photography, your postwork in putting together this fine collage - all excellent indeed! Thanks buddy! Have a magnificent day my friend!
Hendesse
Very interesting images of this nostalgic cameras. Thanks for the informations too!!
Bampster
Wow!!! I haven't seen one of these in years. My father had one he used back in the 1920's, it had been revamped for his specific needs. It was in mint shape- also there were several plates he had received with it that dated to the turn of the century. Unfortunately, they were sold several years ago in an estate sale, and I have learned since that it was way below its actual value. Oh well! Great image as usual Richard. I really look forward to your work because I know I am going to see something very unique.Great work!
busi2ness
What an impressive look at our roots. Great reportage.
DennisReed
Cool capture of History! Thanks for all the info Richard!
2Loose2Trek
Excellent photos and imformation. thanks!
amirapsp
Stunning pieces...
nattarious
DAMNNNNNNN!!! OMG!! This is really interesting Rich!!! Am speechless now.. That is sooooooooooo old yo!! LOL!! I better stick to my equipments too, hehe just like Andreas.. Aweoms and excllent shots and post.. Thank you and have a nice day JOE
awadissk
Very nice, excellent image!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ScourgeofShadows
We used to have this problem with the local auction rooms...we kept attending...and kept bringing stuff home. Looks like a real find...Will you get it working?(and the period clothes to go with it/
BBarbs
Cool. Very interesting. I think we have a few of those copper plates in the family. Love those old cameras. Thanks for sharing and the info !!!!!
moochagoo
Very interesting. Thanks.
STEVIEUKWONDER
Fair old bit of restoration there Richard! lol Must be worth a pretty penny in mint condition. Great work Sir! Steve :o)
TexasAngel
I will keep that name handy!! My son in law owns an auctionhouse and always has loads and loads of antiques! I'm gonna have to look more at the cameras that come in. This was so interesting!!! Aint ya glad you don't have to tote that camera around! Excellent!! Loved the photos and the information!!