Bowler Hat Detective Camera

Catalogue number #1848455404

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Description:

Single frame bellows camera disguised as a bowler hat. The camera is mounted inside the hat with the lens pointing out centrally through the crown. The single plate is exposed by pulling and releasing a cord passing through one end of the hat above the rim. The camera itself is a simple plate camera of small dimensions, the rear part made of wood and metal with fixed concertina black leather bellows. It has a fixed set focus. In operation the top of the bowler hat is simply pointed at the subject and the plate exposed, but alternatively there is a 'viewfinder', actually two identical viewfinders set one each side of the lens.They comprise concentric rings of very small holes. From the exterior of the hat the holes are invisible, but viewed from the inside either can be used as an aid to directing the hat precisely at the person to be photographed. Impressed in the brown leather sweat band at one end the words 'The "Ideal" Hat easy fitting' and at the other end the name "Gaumont" in gold lettering on a black leather disc mounted on a green velvet background. Also on the leather sweat band a round paper disc with 6½ printed on it - presumably the hat size. Apart from the ribbon round the edge of the hat rim which is badly frayed the hat and camera are in excellent condition considering its age - at a guess late Victorian. My little business, Early Technology, has sold early cameras, amongst other technology items for over thirty years and during this period I have sold (and seen) many types of miniature and concealed cameras - normally referred to as 'spy' or 'detective' cameras. some common types turn up fairly regularly but others are rare and only occasionally turn up at specialist auction sales. In all this time I have never seen another example concealed in a bowler hat, but I have heard of one. John Theodore Tussaud the grandson of Madame Tussaud creator of the world famous wax museum in London worked in the business as a sculptor in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. He liked to model the criminals to be placed in "The Chamber of Horrors" from life. As today, in Victorian and Edwardian court rooms only sketches were allowed to be made of those on trial, but John Theodore, who was by then well known at criminal proceedings went to great lengths to get the best pictures, using the latest photographic technology at his disposal, suggested to him by a friendly police sergent: A camera hidden inside a bowler hat! ( I am indebted to www.casebook.org for this information). This bowler hat camera is the right age, looks professionally made and may well be a 'one-off'. Notes on images: The black leather bellow were photographed as a reflection using a mirror placed at an angle inside the hat. In the image of the 'viewfinders' and lens I used two round pieces of white wood to hold the shutter open.

Sale Details:

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