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Lonsdale Brothers | The Langtry LB | Other | Half Plate

FIELD CAMERA | 1900 Operating between 1890 and 1907, from a number of addresses at various times in Leeds, London and Sheffield, Lonsdale Brothers were at 129, West Street, Sheffield in 1907, a fact of interest to this Sheffield collector, if nobody else. They produced a wide range of camera models, in kit form, (advertised under the "Sun" label, as being suitable for self-assembly by amateurs or dealers) and also with the label "LB" in fully finished form, ready to retail, like this well constructed and professionally presented "Langtry LB". One wonders if their self-assembly kits produced some of the many unlabelled W&B cameras often seen today. Some makers at the time chose topical events, e.g. "Harrysmith" (a Boer war battle) and personalities, e.g. "Stanley" (the explorer), as names for their cameras; this "Langtry" is clearly a tribute to Lillie (Lily) Langtry, actress, society figure and mistress of Edward VII.

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