130 Years Old Secret Pocket Watch Camera

The Lancaster Watch Camera looks like a small round pocket watch, with parts inside that fold out and can be stretched out and taken pictures.

Late 19th century Lancaster clock camera. Photo: Rare Historical Photos — Late 19th century Lancaster clock camera. Photo: *Rare Historical Photos*

Between 1886 and 1900, the photographic firm of J. Lancaster & Son of Birmingham, England, produced a unique device – the Lancaster clock camera. This device was a combination of art and innovative engineering. While not a spy camera in the traditional sense, it was nevertheless a prime example of the Victorian fascination with miniaturization and secrecy.

The brains behind the Lancaster clock camera were James Lancaster, founder of J. Lancaster & Son. Founded in the mid-19th century, the company is best known for its photographic equipment and contributions to the development of early cameras. Lancaster aimed to create a camera that not only worked, but was also portable and discreet.

The Lancaster Clock Camera resembles a pocket watch with a metal cover over the crystal with intricate nickel plating and a cross-hatched pattern. Its compact size and elegant appearance make it an accessory that can easily fit into a shirt pocket. The circular outer case of the camera is engraved with the words "J Lancaster & Son Patent Birmingham".

The camera’s most notable feature was its self-straightening mechanism. When opened, it extended six spring-loaded telescopic tubes, forming the bellows needed to take a picture. This feature was not only innovative, but also demonstrated the advanced level of mechanical engineering at the time. In early versions, the camera had an internal meniscus lens accompanied by a simple hand-cranked shutter. As technology progressed, later models were equipped with more advanced shutters.

Despite its impressive design, the Lancaster clock camera presented some practical difficulties. The user had to remove the ground glass screen for each exposure by undoing four tiny latches and inserting a metal film holder. This process was cumbersome and required careful manipulation, making it difficult to take quick or spontaneous shots.

To remedy this, J. Lancaster & Son released an improved version in 1890. This version featured a larger screen frame and traditional shutters, increasing user-friendliness but sacrificing some of the privacy of the original. The introduction of a drop-down shutter in this model was another notable improvement.

The Lancaster Watch Camera comes in versions that are suitable for both men and women. The women's version is smaller, producing photos measuring 12.5 x 1 in. Meanwhile, the men's version is larger, producing photos measuring 2.1 x 1.5 in.

The Lancaster Clock Camera is an important artifact in the history of photography, demonstrating the technical ingenuity of the late 19th century. It also represents a period when technological innovation met practicality.

Thu Thao (According to Rare Historical Photos )

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