Subject: Re: can you ID this folding tripod? From: Brian Bigler <usemeum@mhtc.net> Message-ID: <6b6b583b-473d-4ddd-af83-f7cfa9fa54bd@mhtc.net> Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2021 15:29:20 -0600
Hello again Jarrod
Your tripod is definitely for a camera as it is lightweight in
construction. Fittings and specialized attachments were as common in
years past as they are today- a way to get the consumer to buy a product
specific to the item they are selling. A classic example of this is a
Busy Bee Phonograph which sold records that only fit their machines.
This is not to say that there were not adapters that could be employed
The type of box camera that worked with this tripod is a fairly
substantial camera most likely ten by ten inches or more in square
usually made of wood and with an expandable bellows that were expanded
using a wooden frame with brass fittings track mechanism . Smaller
cameras that were used on tripods such as the common Kodak used a
smaller - usually all metal - telescoping tripod and the screw that held
these was of a different form and size.
A tripod for a transit or any other surveying equipment was made in a
substantial and utilitarian way and usually had legs that were at least
one inch in diameter and in a format that was one piece with adjustable
leg tips.
You might want to contact Dave Driscoll at the Wisconsin Historical
Society to help you out further on your tripod question
I hope this is helpful and clears up some confusion - Brian
On 2/5/2021 1:58 PM, Jarrod Roll wrote:
>
> Hello Brian.
>
> Thanks for the response. We have a box camera ca. 1900 in our
> collection as well as other ca. 1900-1910 cameras (different brands
> and models). However, they all have one thing in common—the diameter
> of the female end to connect to a tripod. This mystery tripod as a
> wider diameter male end which would never fit the threaded female
> holes on the cameras (which seems to be a universal size). So, either
> these tripods are for cameras and didn’t comply to the “universal”
> tripod attachment size or it is not a photography tripod at all.
>
> Jarrod Roll
>
> Director / County Historian
>
> Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
>
> 200 West Main St.
>
> Sparta, WI 54656
>
> 608-269-8680
>
> www.MonroeCountyHistory.org <http://www.MonroeCountyHistory.org>
>
> Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MCLHR <http://www.Facebook.com/MCLHR>
>
> *From:*localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu
> <localhistory-request@listserve.uwec.edu> *On Behalf Of *Brian Bigler
> *Sent:* Friday, February 05, 2021 9:59 AM
> *To:* localhistory@listserve.uwec.edu
> *Subject:* Re: can you ID this folding tripod?
>
> Hello Jarrod
>
> Your item is a tripod for a camera as you predicted. You may see an
> example of this item on page 477 or the Sears Robuck Catalogue for 1897
>
> Brian J. Bigler
>
> Exhibit Designer and Museum Consultant
>
> Mount Horeb
>
> On 2/5/2021 9:16 AM, Jarrod Roll wrote:
>
> Hello everyone.
>
> I’m posting two pictures of a tripod in our collection which is a
> mystery to us. It is made of wood with metal hardware. It also
> has a threaded piece in the top which can unscrew. The photos
> below show it partially unfolded. The full height is closer to
> 3.5 feet.
>
> While we suspect it is either a folding tripod for a turn of the
> century box camera, or a tripod for some field surveying
> equipment, we need some confirmation. So, please reply if you
> know for certain what this is. We’d be most appreciative. J
>
> Jarrod Roll
>
> Director / County Historian
>
> Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
>
> 200 West Main St.
>
> Sparta, WI 54656
>
> 608-269-8680
>
> www.MonroeCountyHistory.org <http://www.MonroeCountyHistory.org>
>
> Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MCLHR <http://www.Facebook.com/MCLHR>
>