I am writing as the Dynamic Collections Officer at Preston Park Museum. We are currently undergoing a rationalisation project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to transform our collection into one which is more reflective of the goals of the museum and the local community.
We are completing reviews of the large photography equipment in our collection. The goal is to complete informed reviews to make recommendations for retention or possible transfer out of our collection. However, we have a few items where we are either not sure what exactly they are or what they would have been used for, or we would like to see if we can find out more about them. Below is a list of the items in question and I have attached some images and can send more related images to the list on request.
We would be incredibly grateful if you could help us with our review by assessing the objects and either provide us with more information about them and suggestions of where is best to look for more information.
Any information or suggestions would be useful!
Object number | Current brief description |
T00982 | Piece of photographic equipment, possibly a copier. 36 x 18 x 24 inches. Rectangular metal box on metal frame. One side has a handle which opens to reveal the inside. Two bulbs inside. Inside there is a black and white image of people at dinner, mid-C20th dress, with handwritten instructions on the reverse which seem to be instructions or information about the machine. Switches on outside. Painted a blue-green colour, flaking all over. |
T00940 (two parts). | Photographic equipment. Large plan copier. 5 x 3 feet. Photographic equipment. Large plan copier. 5 x 3 feet. Chimney shaped piece of equipment. |
T00244 | Metal, possibly zinc, enlarger. Badly corroded. |
Replies
Hi, Emily:
T00982 - this is a contact printer with a foot pedal to make the exposure and would usually have been used to make multiple of prints from one negative, or speeding up the making of one print from multiple negatives, by exposiing the photographic paper, prior to processing.
T00940 - this looks like some form of horizontal copying camera - perhaps for plans or from the printing industry to make printing plates (appears very incomplete)
T00244 - parts of a vertical enlarger, with what looks like foot pedals which would have controlled the rising or lowering of the head.
In the absence of any maker's name then it's hard to be more specific, but they look to be from the later 1920s-early 1950s. All seem in very poor condition and possibly incomplete. Unless there was any specific provenance to local firms they are unlikely to have any wider photographic interest.
Michael Pritchard
Hi Micheal,
Thank you, this is useful information. If I find any more about the manufacturers, I'll be back with more questions or with an update.
Many thanks,
Emily