Researching Antiques

What is it?

Sometimes the first question we have to ask when we uncover something new in the building is, 'What is it?'

Some designs haven't changed much over the years and so it is easy to recognise an old tripod or a film canister. Other times it's not as obvious.
This is our latest find:

We think we have it the right way up as there are castors still attached on one side. You can see the other set of castors on the floor which are made of iron.

Here it is close up:

E. & H. T. Anthony & Co.
Embossed on the iron is E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. / New York. The company ran from 1862 to 1902 when it merged with the Scovill and Adams Company and became Ansco. E. & H. T. Anthony & Company was the largest supplier and distributors of photographic supplies in the United States during the 19th century (see Wikipedia).
You can see a catalogue of their equipment online here but nothing matches up to the piece above.

Our best guess is an easel probably used for enlarging prints by mural printing. We're not, however, entirely confident in this and would love some help in identifying its use.
Some detailed images might help!

The hooks running down the edges are locked in place and there is a bracket on top of each side. We are assuming the sides would be joined together. There are cogs and teeth and a sort of keyhole cover too:

 

If you have any ideas please share them. It would be a great restoration project for us.

Thank you!

Comment or email us on office@wwwinter.co.uk

Add to Anti-Banner

Feeling Lucky

The further we move through the process of opening up our archives the more serendipity seems to occur.
From meeting sitters from photographs 50 years on to hosting The Cameron Collection to discovering so many interesting historical images - the rewards of the research are rich.

This week we are feeling especially lucky as we have had an exquisite donation.
On the back of discovering many old retouching kits, we have been gifted a an antique retouching light box.

Needless to say we are really grateful for the gift and will be using it in one of our room sets - we have just registered for Heritage Open Days 2016 and hope to have an extra room open by September!

The retouching station above will sit perfectly amongst our other retouching tools including this airbrush as well as our sets of pencils and watercolours.