John Barnett (New York City, NY)
Barnett's Patent Dry Plate Holder and Carrier - c. 1889
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic
Bulletin, Vol. I, 1888,
ads p. 52
1. Wooden Carrying Case with 11 Barnett's
Holders. See No. 2 for how they are used in a camera.
2. Barnett's plate holder
system.
This is a system designed to reduce the space required to store
loaded plate holders during a photographic excursion. The cherry
holder fits the Rochester Optical camera back. Each black part is
relatively thin, and consists of one loaded plate and a dark slide.
This accessory is extremely rare - apparently photographers realized
that it takes up about the same space as the usually double holders.
Labels on a Barnett plate holder:
Top: "11", a large number to tell it apart from other holders.
Bottom: "Barnett's - Dry-Plate Holder, - New York - Patented Jan'y
30, 1883"
Notes: This
is a system for reducing the space required to carry photographic
plates. It was patented in 1883 (see below), but apparently not
advertised until 1888 and 1889. It is extremely rare, probably
because, whereas it saves considerable space when compared to a typical
plate holder of 1883, it saves little space compared to typical plate
holders of the late 1880's, which were considerable thinner than their
1883 counterparts.
References:
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin,
Vol. I, 1888, W. J. Harrison and A. H.
Elliot, eds., E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), July 1888, ads p.
52
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments
and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY),
January 1890, pp.29-30
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin,
Vol. II, 1889, W. J. Harrison and A. H.
Elliot, eds., E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), ads p. 105
Descriptive Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus and Supplies, G.
Gennert (New York, NY), dated Jan. 1, 1895, p.53
