Hegelein Watch Camera

American collapsible camera in the form of a pocket watch. The front and rear of the 'watch' opens, the front extends forward with a 7-section metal tube. A wooden film holder attaches to the back. There are only a handfull cameras known to exist. One double film-holder included. In 1993 this was the second known example of the Hegelein watch camera and is the most complete example having the removable plate holder. The first known example was included in Christie's Fine and Rare Cameras, 5 November 1993, lot 421 and is numbered 1051. That example comprises the camera only and NOT the plate holder. The Hegelein watch camera was loosely based on the British Lancaster watch camera. It was the subject of US Patent no. 624142 of 7 AUgust 1894 and was marketed by Anthony from August 1895 when it was priced at $5.00. Provenance: Christie's, London South Kensington, May 6th 1993, Lot 182. Literature: Marder (1982), Anthony. The Man. The Company. The Cameras, p.273, 368. Anthomy's Photographic Bulletin Vol. XXVI (1895), p. 275.