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Brooks And Sons, J | Unknown | English | Half Plate

ENGLISH FIELD CAMERA | 1896 Camera labelled J. Brooks and Sons, Birmingham. Nothing has been found about this maker, though not for want of trying. The style of the camera suggests a possible connection with James Lancaster. It would be nice to think this maker was an escapee from the Lancaster empire who had decided to go it alone. The design of the lens panel support is reminiscent of the Lancaster "Instantograph" cameras, but unlike them, it allows for swing front, as well as rising and cross front, with the fork able to pivot about a single retaining screw that is removable for folding. There is provision for swing and tilt of the reversing back, which has also a very convenient clip-in fitting to the body. I have neither seen nor heard of anything else with the J. Brooks and Sons label.

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