G. Gennert
Penny Picture Camera, 1880s
| Although it bears no manufacturers'
marks, this camera was likely made by the firm of G. Gennert of New York
City in the 1880s. The 'Penny Picture' camera was designed to take
anywhere from one to several dozen exposures on a single 5 x 7 inch
glass plate. The sliding back combined with various cardboard masks
allowed many exposures to be recorded on one plate. Included with this
example are six different masks
The Penny Picture camera was a tool for the entrepreneur photographer - a way to make money with photography without an extensive background in photography. This camera is also deceptively large - the wooden rails, for example, are about 30 inches in length, while the front standard of the tailboard-style camera is some 16 inches in height. A sturdy tripod or better yet, a studio stand, would have been required to support the camera |
 |
Rear of camera showing sliding ground glass and
solid construction