IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS." A communication
from abroad by Jules Alphonse Terpereau, of Bordeaux (Gironde), France,
Photographer.
Sealed the 17th April 1877, and dated the 20th October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th October 1876.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC
APPARATUS.' A communication from abroad by Jules Alphonse Terpereau, of
Bordeaux (Gironde), France, Photographer.
".
This Invention relates to a portable camera obscura for tourists and photo-
graphers.
The principles upon which this Invention is based are in the arrangement of the
box, which small as it is opens to a size sufficient for forming a darkened chamber
or camera obscura suitable for taking any kind of photograph, scenery, or portrait
on plates up to about 10/2 inches (27 centimetres).
The accompanying Sheet of Drawings shows a portable photographic apparatus
embodying this Invention set up and ready for operating.
Upon the sides of the box is nailed a curtain composed of three pieces or pannels
forming the chamber. In one of these pannels is the window, but instead of being of
glass it is of glazed linen. The curtain forming the chamber is of a particular cut,
which permits the immediate closing of the camera obscura and the photographer to
operate without fear of the wind interfering with the operation. These curtains are
held (and this constitutes the second part of this Invention) in an arrangement of
rods in two parts AB, CD, at each end of which are two pieces of tin a b, cd, into
which enter each end of the rod or stick.
A certain quantity of water is required for photographic operations, and instead
of a metal bottle a pocket E is provided in the form of an india-rubber bag, at the

page_text: top of which is a funnel F through which the water is introduced and an india-
rubber pipe G for letting out the water required, and finally in order that it may
not run out except when required there is fitted at the end of this pipe a
hermetically closing self-acting stopper H. When operating this little receiver is
hooked on to one of the uprights in such a manner that the water may come
directly into the basin placed in the middle of the camera obscura.
It will be readily seen that this Invention provides an apparatus suitable for all
kinds of photography enclosed in a very small space, because the setting up rods
separate and the sides fold into the box, which is very portable either in the hand or
like a knapsack.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
April 1877.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN PORTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC
APPARATUS." A communication from abroad by Jules Alphonse Terpereau, of
Bordeaux (Gironde), France, Photographer.
This Invention relates to a portable camera obscura for tourists and photo-
graphers.
The principles upon which this Invention is based are in the arrangement of the
box, which small as it is opens to a size sufficient for forming a darkened chamber
or camera obscura suitable for taking any kind of photograph, scenery, or portrait
on plates up to about 10%, inches (27 centimetres).
The accompanying Sheet of Drawings shows a portable photographic apparatus
embodying this Invention set up ready for operating.
Upon the sides of this box is nailed or otherwise fastened a curtain composed of
three pieces or pannels forming the chamber. In one of the pannels is the window,
but instead of being of glass it is of glazed linen or other similar material. The
curtain forming the chamber is cut of a shape to permit the immediate closing of
the camera obscura and the photographer to operate without fear of the wind
interfering with the operation. These curtains are held (and this constitutes the
second part of this Invention) by an arrangement of rods in two parts A B, CD, at
each end of which are two pieces of tin or other suitable material a b, cd, into which
enter each end of the rod or stick.
A certain quantity of water is required for photographic operations, and instead
of a metal bottle a pocket E is provided in the form of an india-rubber bag at the
top of which is a funnel F through which the water is introduced and an india-
rubber pipe G for letting out the water required, and finally in order that it may
not run out except when required there is fitted at the end of this pipe a hermetically
closing self-acting stopper H. When operating this little receiver is hooked on to
one of the uprights in such a manner that the water may come directly into the
basin placed in the middle of the camera obscura.
It will be readily seen that this Invention provides an apparatus suitable for all
kinds of photography enclosed in a very small space, because the setting up rods
separate and the sides fold into the box, which is very portable either in the hand or
like a knapsack.
This portable photographic apparatus rests upon a tripod like ordinary portable
photographic apparatuses.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the Invention communicated
to me as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed, I claim as
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, the shape and

page_text: arrangement of the box forming the base of the camera obscura, together with the
arrangement of the setting-up rods or sticks and that of the curtains which serve to
close the dark chamber, the whole substantially as herein-before described and
shown on the accompanying Sheet of Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.