Thornton Picard Imperial Field Camera with Mahogany Body.

This Thornton Picard Imperial Field camera is a very early model, introduced in the late 19th century. It is a folding type field camera with a turntable like rotating brass base to fit a tripod.The camera is beautifully constructed with mahogany body, black tapered leather bellows and complete brass fittings, still with original lacquer. The lens is a Beck Symmetrical lens mounted on a Thornton Picard roller-blind shutter with a circular diaphragm and an adjustable speed control spring. (The shutter release string has been replaced). The back frame is holding the focusing screen, which is made of ground glass and is in good condition. Inserted in a special groove behind the back frame is a Tropical film plate-holder for two plates size 5X7. This early model of Thornton Picard camera was produced in relatively small numbers, and is very rare and difficult to find in such condition.