identification of old French wooden camera

[Woody]

Dear All,

Can perhaps someone help with the identification of a wooden camera, most probably French.

Lens holder marked as 'Manchons: Le Phare', however I found no trace of this brand/type online whatsoever.

The brass objective is marked as 'American lens' (f 8-64).

Thanks in advance.

[Havoc]

LOL. Crossed wires I'm afraid. A "manchon" in french is a muff or sleeve in english. Very likely this tube once housed a gaslamp mantle which with the name "Le Phare" makes sense as a "phare" is a spotlight ot lighthouse in french. So I think they reused the cardboard tube to put the lens in. It is not the brand of the lens or camera.

[Woody]

LOL. Crossed wires I'm afraid. A "manchon" in french is a muff or sleeve in english. Very likely this tube once housed a gaslamp mantle which with the name "Le Phare" makes sense as a "phare" is a spotlight ot lighthouse in french. So I think they reused the cardboard tube to put the lens in. It is not the brand of the lens or camera.

Many thanks, indeed this explains a lot of my confusing search results

Now my only trace is the 'American lens' markings on the objective.

Any hints are welcomed!

[Steven Tribe]

Looks like a tailboard “travel” camera from the period 1890 - 1914. Most likely French or German. The top brass fitment on the sliding lens board suggest it is prepared for mono/stereo use with a single lens - there may be additional clues inside the camera.
“American” used in conjunction a French lens usually means radial focusing drive, rather than the more common tangential drive. But doesn’t make sense here as your lens is a typical Generic Rapid Rectilinear or Aplanat- focusing is done on the camera. Most of these cameras have no name or the name of the retailer or the supplier.
Looks like nicely finished European Walnut.

[Woody]

Looks like a tailboard “travel” camera from the period 1890 - 1914. Most likely French or German. The top brass fitment on the sliding lens board suggest it is prepared for mono/stereo use with a single lens - there may be additional clues inside the camera.
“American” used in conjunction a French lens usually means radial focusing drive, rather than the more common tangential drive. But doesn’t make sense here as your lens is a typical Generic Rapid Rectilinear or Aplanat- focusing is done on the camera. Most of these cameras have no name or the name of the retailer or the supplier.
Looks like nicely finished European Walnut.

Thank you very much @Steven Tribe for this detailed assessment, much appreciated!

[fhabit]

My thanks, as well. I've just joined the Forum in part because I've got my first field camera--and by amazing chance it looks to be identical (except for lens, which is unmarked aside from the f stops) to this one. It came from a brocante (pop-up vintage market) here in Paris, but has no maker or dealer's markings, so it's just as much a mystery to me.

[Woody]

My thanks, as well. I've just joined the Forum in part because I've got my first field camera--and by amazing chance it looks to be identical (except for lens, which is unmarked aside from the f stops) to this one. It came from a brocante (pop-up vintage market) here in Paris, but has no maker or dealer's markings, so it's just as much a mystery to me.

Nice to see an identical camera! Hope the mystery will be revealed!

[John Layton]

Would be nice if you could (gently!) unfold the camera and then post more photos of it (unfolded) here.

[JPDMan]

Hmmm, it seems nice. Can you please share more photos like these? I can't understand how this was discovered.

[mammothminecart]

Old wooden camera need help with size and identification. By DRAGONPIX11 ... French Very Early Wet Plate Camera |1850-1860 | Tailboard | 9x12cm.