T & W Patented Detective Box Camera

The T & W. Detective Camera manufactured in circa 1887 by Tisdell and Whittelsey Tool, Model and Instrument Makers, of New York. This firm was established in 1884. In 1893, the company was listed as Tisdell Camera & Manufacturing Co., and located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, which continued to manufacture the camera. This early detective camera used 3 1/4 by 4 1/4 inch glass plates. It featured an internal bellows for focusing, an Achromatic meniscus lens and spring set shutter adjustable to five different speeds. Two versions were made including an all wood version and the leather covered version depicted.