LANCASTER'S DETECTIVE CAMERA

J. Lancaster & Son, Birmingham, England 1889 - 1891

Ronald F. Giovannelli Collection

Lancaster's Detective Camera also known and referred to as the "Lancaster Detective Camera", appears to be one of only a handful of box-style magazine and detective cameras made by J. Lancaster & Son, some of the models being the Rover Detective Camera (1890), the "Kapawl" Hand Camera (1896), the "Stopit" Magazine Camera (1896), the Zoegraph (1898) and Lancaster's New Hand Camera (1898).

Advertised as early as 1889 in the British Journal Photographic Almanac and Photographer's Daily Companion, 1888, engravings depict the first version of the camera as having a "steamer trunk" appearance with what was presumably a hinged lid:

From the British Journal Photographic Almanac and Photographer's Daily Companion, 1889 Source: Hathitrust Digital Library

This first version would continue until 1891, when its construction changed as reflected in the example featured here:

From the British Journal Photographic Almanac and Photographer's Daily Companion, 1891 Source: Hathitrust Digital Library

Lancaster's Patent See-Saw Shutter, available in different configurations, also makes its appearance by 1891 as seen in the same publication:

From the British Journal Photographic Almanac and Photographer's Daily Companion, 1891 Source: Hathitrust Digital Library

This second version of Lancaster's Detective features a single view finder and a lens opening concealed by leather-hinged flap lids, reminiscent of the view finder flap lid seen on the Scovill Detective Camera from 1885-1888:

First model of the Scovill Detective Camera that utilized a leather flap to conceal the top view finder, and sliding metal covers to conceal the side view finder and the lens opening

Though somewhat difficult to read on this example, the Lancaster Company's signature shield logo containing "J. L. & S., Opticians, B" is prominently placed on the camera's side. The decorative "B" signified Birmingham, England:

One of the camera's most interesting features is what at first glance appears to be an incredibly thick double plate holder. In reality, it is referred to in advertisements as a "Changing Box", capable of "carrying six plates, and all change out noiselessly, and cannot stick, jam, or go in wrong. This is the simplest, smallest and most convenient Detective in the market." Lancaster's Omnigraph and Superior Omnigraph models that evolved from the Lancaster Detective, were also capable of using a "Changing Box". It's not known whether they were interchangeable between all the models. Research is ongoing, but this "Changing Box" component which may be unique to the Lancaster Detective Camera and its direct lineage, is probably as rare as the camera itself:

The "Changing Box" loads through the camera's bottom, which also contains the shutter's controls and the focus adjustment:

The Lancaster Detective Camera seen here is equipped with Lancaster's Patent See-Saw Shutter, which can be found on many other Lancaster cameras of all styles:

Lancaster's Patent See-Saw Shutter

With a fewer number of Lancaster box-style models having been produced, the majority of Lancaster cameras seen today are of the folding field or self-casing style having pleated bellows. Lancaster products as a whole are considerably more plentiful in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, than they are here in the US.

It's presently undetermined as to how long Lancaster's Detective Camera lasted. But this second version may have been produced through 1892, with its successor models the Omnigraph and Superior Omnigraph, both believed to have been introduced in 1893.

Everything taken into account, Lancaster's box-style cameras are rarely encountered and the Lancaster Detective Camera in any of its versions is almost never seen today, especially here in America.

From the British Journal Photographic Almanac and Photographer's Daily Companion, 1890 Source: Hathitrust Digital Library

Advertising Catalogue header from the British Journal Photographic Almanac and Photographer's Daily Companion, 1891 Source: Hathitrust Digital Library