The Presto Camera owned by R.A.H. L'Estrange ca.1896

The all metal oval shaded Presto camera was manufactured by Magic Introduction Co. (NY) in 1896 who also manufactured the ‘Photoret’. Designed by Herman Casler, based upon his British patent of 17th December 1895 (#24157). The camera was sold by E B Koopman of 33 Union Square for 2.50USD, New York. Dimensions 3.25x2.25x1.75ins (8.5x6x4.5cms).

It offered 25 28x28mm exposures on roll film or 4 glass plates. Meniscus lens with rotating front stops. Single speed gravity shutter that was reset by turning the camera over and back again. Its simplicity was noted in the advertisements "a child can operate it".

It was well reviewed in Scientific American 23rd May 1896, page 331. See attached file.

A range of accessories were also sold including plates, film, chemicals, darkroom lamp, Presto printing frame, mounts and other items to assist the camera user. The advert of the Kodak Brownie with its ease of use and larger negative probably contributed to the demise of the Presto.

(Sept, 2006) http://www.submin.com/large/collection/presto/index.htm

This small hand held camera was donated by Mrs Patricia Hemsley to Queensland University of Technology as part of a larger historical photographic donation collected by her grandfather Robert Augustus Henry L'Estrange.