[LargeFormat] identity & date of old cameras

[Clive Warren]

At 4:48 pm -0500 7/1/03, Joseph O'Neil wrote:
>Hi all;
>	Here's a bit of history & trivia for all of you, maybe 
>somebody can help.  Take a look here:
>http://www.science-tech.nmstc.ca/english/temp/IHP7431.jpg
>
>	A museum in Vancouver, Canada is trying to date this pciture. 
>Best guess is Europe (UK?), mid 1880s.  I got this message of an 
>astornomy mailing list I am on.
snip
>
>	Anyhow - here's the long shot - can anyone identify by any 
>means  the date and palce of this pciture?  Secondly, can anyoen 
>help me date an old English made, brass Ross lens.    I think my 
>camera dates from the same time period as this photograph was made, 
>so this might be an outside chance at  narrowing down a date.
>thanks
>joe

Joe,

That is a truly excellent photo - would like to get hold of a copy if 
that is at all possible. Can't help you with the location, although 
the semi-military hat that one of the chaps is wearing may be a good 
clue to someone.

I can probably help you date your Ross lens - what is engraved on the 
barrel and/or front element ring/?

Cheers,
        Clive