The Meritoire is the mid-range model in Lancaster's early range of field cameras brought out in 1882. Like the other two models the Meritoire had at first a removable base to which the front and rear standards were attached by screws. In 1886 the conventional folding bed design was adopted. The Meritoire was similar to the Merveilleux but had a swing back arrangement, rise and cross front and rackwork fitted to the lens. Sizes were the same as the Merveilleux. Around 1898 a metal front standard was adopted along with a new method of attaching the rear standard to the baseboard. A year or so later the rear standard was moveable along the bed. Around 1904 the front standard was hinged allowing the camera to be more easily collapsed. The Meritoire was advertised in the BJA of 1907 for the last time. Various shutters were fitted to the camera through its life.