Vintage wood and brass combine to gorgeous effect in this antique French camera, circa 1860. Featuring a body made of walnut, this Chevalier Appareil Universel No.1 transitional tailboard camera also came with a walnut storage box and brass bound convertible lens set. Originally designed and built as a practical instrument, it is an object of profound beauty in its own right, combining wood craftsmanship with science, optometrics and other technologies of the day. This camera is part of the Spira Collection of photographica in New York, founded by historian and author Fred Spira, regarded as the 'Henry Ford of photography' for his innovative work to standardize photographic equipment among national and international manufacturers.
