The Academy camera was manufactured by the Marion & Co. of Soho Square London in circa 1885. It was a magazine hand camera advertised to be designed for the tourist, the Artist, the Detective, and for the military man. A tray attached underneath the camera carried twelve plates, exposed in rotation. The camera was held like a pistol. pressing a button on the camera behind the camera front on the left will release an ebonite revolving disc, then a brass head is caught by the spring. The cmaera is then turned upside down and a latch pulled to so that gravity can move the plate into position to capture a photo. The camera was based on a patent by Warwick Brookes of Manchester, a rotary shutter patent by J and W.I. Chadwick and later in the new model, a focusing mirror patent by Vero Charles Driffield of Widnes. Additionally, a telescope stand patented by Capt. Plucker was available for the academy camera. The camera was made in seven models as follows:

Academy No. 1 : for plates 1 1/4 inch square , including a pair of lens and tray with 12 plates. Size of camera 4 x 3 inches.

Academy No. 2: for plates 2 inch square, including a pair of lens and tray with 12 plates. Size of camera 9 x 7 x 4 3/4 inches.

Academy No. 2A: Same as No. 2 except Superior workmanship, made of best mahogany, including a pair of Marion & Co.s rectilinear lenses and tray, Porcelain slab for memorabilia .

Academy No. 3: for plates 3 1/4 inch square, including a pair of lens and tray with 12 plates. Size of camera 10 1/2 x 6 3/8 x 10 3/4 inches.

Academy No. 3A: Same as No. 3 except Superior workmanship, made of best mahogany, including a pair of Marion & Co.s rectilinear lenses and tray, Porcelain slab for memorabilia .

Academy No. 4 for plates 3 1/4 inch x 4 1/4 inch, including a pair of lens and tray with 12 plates. Size of camera 11 1/4 x 6 3/8 x 10 3/4 inches.

Academy No. 4A: Same as No. 4 except Superior workmanship, made of best mahogany, including a pair of Marion & Co.s rectilinear lenses and tray, Porcelain slab for memorabilia .

Academy sets were also available, complete with everything requisite for photographic negatives and photographic printing, fitting into a mahogany box, comprising of camera, lenses, leather case, twelve dozen plates, chemicals. trays, lamp, measure, material for printing and mounting, etc.

CLICK HERE for a list of Marion & Co. Cameras.

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2013-04-19 20:19:00