Printing and Masking Frames - Antique and Vintage Cameras
Image of

Printing frames were made in a variety of woods and occasionally metal and plastic. Early models held the paper and plate together by battens and wooden screws. Later models employed flat brass springs but for very large sizes the older form employing battens was still used.

Further Information:
Cyclopedia of Photography, p. 440.

Printing Frame

1894

Spratt Brothers

London

England

Two, For 6 ½" x 4 ¾" plates.

Marion are listed as the agents.

References & Notes:
BP 23387/1894. Photographic News 15/5/1896.

Shown lower right of image.

Jaynay Non-Slip

J & A Wilkinson

Manchester

England

  • For 5 ½" x 3 ½" plates. Sold by Fred. V. A. Lloyd. 15 Lord St. Liverpool. (Lower left of illustration).
  • For 2 ½" x 3 ½" plates. Sold by J Lizars. Bold St. Liverpool.

Wilkinson patented a number of printing frame designs, the examples here use pins on the back that fit into slots on the side of the frame to prevent slippage.

References & Notes:
BP 22633/1900. BJA 1906, 1413. Butcher's British Cameras, 1924, p. 103.

Printing Frame

1890s

Scovil & Adams Co.

USA

For 7" x 5" plates. With indicator for the number of prints taken. Also sold under the N&G name in Britain.

References & Notes:
N&G Cat. 1908, p. 165.

Shown top left of image.

Printing Frame

E. & H.T. Anthony

New York

U.S.A.

For 4" x 5" plates. With indicator for the number of prints taken.

References & Notes:
US. Pat. Aug. 12 1890 (indistinct).

Primus

W. Butcher & Sons

London

England

For 5" x 4" plates.

Shown middle right of image.

Ensign

1906

Houghtons Ltd

London

England

For 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates.

The printing paper is gripped between a pressure bar and the edge of the negative. Spring to lift paper clear of the negative.

With:
Instructions.

References & Notes:
BP 3648/1904. BP 19943/1906. BJA 1907, 350. Clemitson Cat. 1909, p. 89.

Shown middle left of image.

Eastman Non-Slip

Eastman Kodak Co.

Rochester

USA

For 2 ½" x 3 ½" plates.

Shown top centre of image.

Klimax Post-card Printer

1909

W. Butcher & Sons Ltd

London

England

Image of Klimax Post-card Printer

This combines a separate negative carrier, border masks and frame with ground glass screen. Later renamed the Klimax Post-card Frame. Once set-up the frame enabled rapid and repetitive printing from the same negative. The frame was also available fitted with an illumination box.

References & Notes:
BJP 30/4/1909, p. 351. Butcher Cat. 1914, p. 604.

Printing Frame

1880s

Sands & Hunter

London

England

Three 10" x 8" printing frames, one with a negative.

Notes:
Address: 20 Cranbourn St.

Bynoe Printing Frame

1892

R & J Beck

London

England

Image of Bynoe Printing Frame

  • For 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" negatives.
  • Two frames for 6 ½" x 4 ¾".

These are made from pressed sheet metal with a wooden back. The negative and paper are gripped by a spring clip, the wooden back is pressed against the frame by a hinged flat spring. Available in a finish of black paint or nickel plated.

References & Notes:
BP 8194/1892. BJA 1893, p. 170.

Johnson's Plastic Printing Frame

1946

Johnson & Sons Manufacturing Chemists Ltd

London

England

Image of Johnson's Plastic Printing Frame

For 2 ½" x 3 ½" negatives. Four examples in different packaging.

References & Notes:
BJA 1947, p. 47.

Ensign Metal Printing Frame

Ensign Ltd

London

England

For 2 ½" x 4 ¼" negatives.

Postcard Printing Frames

  • The Jaynay Reversible Frame. For 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" negatives. Two removable strips allow the negative to be printed in landscape or portrait format. Registered Design no. 422628, this dates to 1903. Retailer's stamp of Wm. Smith, Silver St. Durham. Price 1/6.
  • Ensign For 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" negatives. Retailer's stamp of Wm. Smith, Silver St. Durham. Price 1/6.
  • For 2 ½" x 3 ½" negatives. This is a large square frame, the paper can be placed in the frame for either landscape or portrait. Retailer's stamp of Wm. Smith, Silver St. Durham.

These frames are for printing on to postcard size paper from smaller negatives.

References & Notes:
Phot. Dealer Jan 1904, p. 9 (Jaynay p/c frames).

Printing Frame

  • 6 ½" x 4 ¾". Unusual clamping arrangement with fully removable piece to check exposure. Wire springs. Sold as the Full-View.
  • 2 ¼" x 1 ⅝".
  • 2 ¼" x 2 ¼".
  • 3 ¼" x 4 ¼". With glass vignette.
  • 3 ¼" x 6 ½".
  • 6 ½" x 4 ¾".
  • 3 ¼" x 4 ¼".
  • 7" x 5". Marked M. O. Co. Possibly American.
  • 6 ½" x 4 ¾". Fitted with an exposure counter dated 1886, this type of counter was sold in the UK by Tylar.

References & Notes:
PA 1891, p. 553 (Tylar). Hasluck, Book of Photography (Full-View print frame).

Printing Frame for Platinum Prints

Image of Printing Frame for Platinum Prints

Well-made frame of mahogany and brass, the pressure board is in one piece with a rubber layer on the print side..

Masking Frames

  • For 5 ½" x 3 ½" negatives. Made of teak, not adjustable.
  • 5 ½" x 3 ½" negatives. Metal, not adjustable.

Shown top right of image.

Agimask

Agilux Ltd

Croydon

England

Image of Agimask

Adjustable masking frame for 7" x 5" prints.

Darkroom Equipment

Darkroom Lamps

Granitine

Developing

Developing - Plate Tanks

Developing - Roll-Film Tanks

Fixing, Washing & Measures

Watkins Calculator

Timers & Clocks

Retouching Equipment

Print Meters

Print Meters - Electric

Focus Finders & Magnifiers

Enlargers - Box Form

Enlargers

Contact Printers

Vignettes & Masks

Printing and Masking Frames

Transposing Frames, Printers

Colouring

Print Trimming & Glazing

Print Mounting

Thermometers

Johnson Outfits

Miscellaneous