35mm Lumiere Cinematographe camera/printer/projector, serial number 254, with brass taking and projection lenses with Lumière thread, crank handle. Claw mechanism designed for Edison perforations, c.1896.

The Cinématographe was a camera, printer and projector designed by brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière. It was first demonstrated at a scientific meeting in March 1895. The Cinématographe was used to present their first cinema show to a paying audience on 28 December 1895 at the Grand Café on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris.

Unlike Edison’s electrically-powered Kinetograph camera, the Cinématographe was small and hand-cranked, so films could be shot anywhere – in town or country, in exotic foreign locations, even from moving vehicles. The Lumières quickly seized the commercial opportunities of their invention, establishing agencies in many countries.

Around 450 Cinématographes were made. This particular model, from the Sarosh Collection, was purchased by an Indian photographer, Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatwadekar (known as 'Save Dada') at a cost of 21 guineas, after seeing a demonstration by a Lumière agent in Bombay.

In 1901 Bhatwadekar used the camera to make what is thought to be the first Indian news film - showing an Indian student's return from Cambridge University. Bhatwadekar went on to film the 1903 Delhi Durbar, organised to celebrate the Coronation of Edward VII.

Internal take up magazine for 35mm film for Lumiere cinematographe.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

Internal take up magazine for 35mm film for Lumiere Cinematographe.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

External magazine for 35mm film for Lumiere Cinematographe.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

External film magazine for Lumiere Cinematographe. Paper label 'No 1'.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

External magazine for 35mm film for Lumiere Cinematographe, c. 1896.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

Crank handle for Lumiere cinematographe.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

External magazine for printing 35mm film for Lumiere Cinematographe. c. 1896.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

External magazine for printing 35mm film for Lumiere Cinematographe, c.1896.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

Projection lens for Lumiere cinematographe, about 1896.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

Film holder for 35mm film for Lumiere Cinematographe when used as a projector.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.

Wooden box for Lumière Cinématographe 35mm cine camera/printer/projector.

The Cinematographe, invented by Auguste (1862-1954) and Louis (1864-1948) Lumiere, was a combined camera, projector and printer. The film ran from the top spool holder through the projector to a box in the stand below. With a similar Cinematographe, the Lumiere brothers gave their first cinema show at the Grand Cafe on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, France, on 28 December 1895.