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Antique & Scientific Instruments U.K. |
PHOTOGRAPHIC
EQUIPMENT by J.B.DANCER
Although best known
nowadays, for his microscopes, Dancer’s photographic works were most prolific.
In terms of sheer numbers, there were more microphotographs made by him than anything
else. The book “The Microscopic Photographs of J.B.Dancer” by Bracegirdle &
McCormick, illustrates over 500 different microphotographs as advertised by
Richard Suter in 1900 and this is by no means a complete list of all the
microphotographs produced.
At the opposite end
of the scale, this photographic reducer/enlarger was probably a “one off” as
all my research has led to finding no other nor anyone who knows of another
anywhere.
This
mahogany & brass multi-function reducer/enlarger (I
think) comprises a 30 inch long base frame on which is mounted three movable
lightproof boxes. The boxes are connected by bellows typical of the type used
in the second half of the 19th century for photographic cameras. The
position of the light boxes is set on the baseplate by
hand wheel controlled rack & pinion and the centre box
has a vertical shutter. Each of the end boxes is fitted to take a sliding film
changer. One end box has the ivory trade plate for
J.B.Dancer and the Dancer name is stamped in the
mahogany in places. A large condensing lens, a frosted
plate and a brass assembly, each mounted on mahogany, also came with the
instrument.
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