G. Hare Stereo
Trained
as a cabinet maker, George Hare entered his own camera making business
circa 1857. He contributed several important innovations to 19th
century camera design. Hare cameras were made to the highest standards.
The mahogany wood is finished in a deep rich reddish brown. Dovetailed
corner joints are perfectly fitted and every screw head is aligned
like soldiers prepared for inspection. The sequentialy numbered
Dallmeyer stereoscopic lenses incorporate wheel stops. The Dallmeyer
Rapid Rectilinear mono lens included with this outfit has a matching set of numbered waterhouse
stops. All the major wood components on the camera bear a number
"1" as do both lens boards. I am not enough of a historian
to properly interpret this. Is it a simple meaningless assembly
number, or could this be the first camera made in a given year,
or of a certain style? The lens serial numbers date this camera to circa 1875. Many cameras of this era bear no serial
numbers at all. If it was a multi-digit number, I would just assume
its a serial number and move on. The set also includes a pair of
non-numbered plate holders and an example of Hare's Automatic Changing
Box. Although not the first to make a daylight plate loader, Hare's
device, patented in 1875, was an early example of the concept.
One of the plate holders is equipped with a light tight interface
to match the changing box.
