Photographer's 'Birdie'
- Made:
- circa 1920 in unknown place
Photographer's `Birdie' - Tin Whistle in shape of a songbird. Maker unknown, c1900.
A Victorian studio photographer's 'Birdie', made around 1900.
The Birdie was of the many devices used by studio photographers in the attempt to keep small children still and attentive for the length of the exposure.
The Birdie is hollow and made of brass, and would move its tail and tweet when the photographer squeezed the attached rubber air bulb. It probably would have been attached to the camera. The phrase 'watch the birdie' originates from these objects.
Details
- Category:
- Photographs
- Object Number:
- 1990-5122
- Materials:
- metal (unknown) and rubber (unidentified)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 110 mm x 25 mm x 160 mm, .02 kg
- type:
- studio prop
- credit:
- The National Media Museum, Bradford
