Block-Notes

1902

L. Gaumont & Cie.

Paris

France

Lens:

f6.5, 72mm Krauss-Tessar. Sliding stops: f6.3, f13. Serial no. 54033 .

Shutter:

Single-blade guillotine, second capping blade, spring powered, pneumatic regulation. Speeded 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64). Lever for P setting.

Construction:

Metal body, leather bellows.

Format:

4.5 x 6 cm plates held in single metal slides.

Focusing:

Fixed.

Attributes:

Direct-vision view-finder (lens/lens).

Serial Number:

3493 .

Notes:

Retailer's address on camera: Ross Ltd. 31 Cockspur St. London. S.W.

With:

Focusing screen.; 8 single metal slides in pouch.; 2 close-up lenses 1m and 1.5m in leather pouch.; 5 glass plates.; Pouch for camera.

The Block-Notes was the first of a number of miniature strut cameras using the 4.5 x 6 cm plate size popular in the 1900s.

The Block Notes was made in four sizes:

4.5 x 6 cm, introduced 1902.
6.5 x 9 cm.
45 x 107 mm stereo, introduced c.1904.
6 x 13 cm stereo.

A wide range of lenses was available for the smallest size. Accessories included : filters, close-up lenses, shutter release, tripod adapters, magazine changing box, roll-film back, folding view-finder, and an enlarger.

The sliding aperture is accessed from inside the camera. The dark-slides are nickel with 'ELGE' on the tabs. The price was £9.12.6.

References & Notes:

BP 26068/1902. BJA 1906, p. 1254.; AP 9/6/08, p. 4.; N&G Cat. c.1911, p. 68.; Sinclair Cat. 1910, p. 33.; Lothrop, Century, p. 105.

Illustrations:

Prague Cat. 541. (small size stereo model).; MA, 441, 442. (stereo models).

Early Photography