Eclipse plate camera (ground glass missing), manufactured by J F Shew & Co, Newman Street London. Collapsing, wooden A form plate camera for 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 plates. RR lens, rotating aperture disc. f/ 7.7, 11, 16, 22. Rotary shutter T/I. Helical screw/lever focusing inf. -10'. Two spirit levels.Ground glass missing. Number 4102 (M 1259). Overall (deployed): 160 mm x 206 mm x 210 mm. A wooden collapsing A-form hand camera for half-plates, fitted with a rapid rectilinear lens and a rotary shutter. This camera was one of the first plate cameras designed for hand use. When closed it resembles a flat box. The sides fold out and the lens panel is pulled out and fits into notches in the side panels. The camera is based on a design by G Lowdon, patented on 1st April, 1885 (No 4102).