J. Redding & Gyles, London
The 'Luzo', circa 1897

The Luzo is a brass-bound, polished mahogany camera manufactured in the late-1890s by the firm of J. Redding & Gyles. It was Redding who had originally designed and patented the camera in 1889. At that time, and into the very early-1890s, the camera was sold by the firm of Robinson & Sons of London. The Luzo is historically significant as it is the first English-made camera to use rollfilm - specifically that of the Eastman Company.

Although it was offered in several sizes during the 1890s, it is rarely found at all today. This particular example is for exposures 3 x 4 inches. Also known is a smaller, probably unique, variation made for glass plates. This smaller model also had a detective-style fitted leather case.


Top of Luzo showing manufacturer's celluloid tag (center) 
and Redding's patent/serial number (lower right)


The Luzo with sector shutter cocked, ready for exposure; the brass bar at upper left tripped the shutter.
Shutter speed was set by the thin wire at lower right; apertures were set via brass pointer lower left

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