Thornton-Pickard | Thornton's Patent Tourist | English | Half Plate
ENGLISH FIELD CAMERA. 1888-1891. The 'Thornton's Patent Tourist Cameras' were made (or retailed, possibly bought in from Bilcliffe to Thornton's design) by John Edward Thornton before he joined in partnership with Edgar Pickard in 1888. Because the label on this camera says 'The Thornton-Pickard Manufacturing Co., Manchester', it must have been a continuation of a line, a very early T-P product, made after the partnership began and discontinued in 1891. It was re-introduced in a different form in 1903. An earlier form with rotating lens panel (which I would dearly like to find) was discontinued in 1890, where I would place my 'Thornton's Patent Tourist Camera', probably. It is hand made, with dovetailed joints. The ground glass on my example is seven and a half by five inches, in a beautifully made rotating back. The camera is stamped 'McKellen's Patent', presumably referring to the folding arrangements. Since McKellen would have been working in the same city of Manchester at the same time, it is likely that some form of franchising or licensing arrangement was in force.
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