Bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

A canvas bag, made for use with bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel.

The canvas bag would have been used to transport darkslides.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

A box with four photographic lenses.

These lenses were switched in or out depending on the distance of the object to be photographed. They were used to focus on objects at various distances.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Four waterhouse stops in a small leather booklet.

Waterhouse stops were invented by pioneering Halifax photographer John Waterhouse in 1858. They are small interchangeable plates of metal with a precise sized hole designed to control the amount of light entering the camera. They are associate with a bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwich Green, Manchester, around 1890.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Wooden double darkslide plate, marked 1 and 2, for bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

These plates are double dark slides. The frame protects the plates from unintended light exposure while the film holder is not attached to the camera.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Wooden double darkslide plate, marked 3 and 4, for bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

These plates are double dark slides. The frame protects the plates from unintended light exposure while the film holder is not attached to the camera.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Wooden double darkslide plate, marked 5 and 6, for bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

These plates are double dark slides. The frame protects the plates from unintended light exposure while the film holder is not attached to the camera.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Wooden double darkslide plate, marked 7 and 8, for bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

These plates are double dark slides. The frame protects the plates from unintended light exposure while the film holder is not attached to the camera.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Wooden double darkslide plate, marked 9 and 10, for bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

These plates are double dark slides. The frame protects the plates from unintended light exposure while the film holder is not attached to the camera.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Wooden double darkslide plate, marked 11 and 12, for bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

These plates are double dark slides. The frame protects the plates from unintended light exposure while the film holder is not attached to the camera.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).

Red cardboard box labelled "actinometer" containing some small papers with measurements, for bellows plate camera made by James Furnivel of Ardwick Green, Manchester, in around 1890.

Furnivel was in business as a maker of clock cases from 1855. In around 1857 he got into camera making while making camera cabinet work for J B Dancer, an early Manchester photographer. In 1842 the earliest known surviving photographic image of Manchester was taken by John Benjamin Dancer (1812 – 1887) from the roof of the Royal Exchange.

Mr J A Furnivel was a clock case maker by trade working in Ardwick just a mile southeast of Manchester city centre. During the mid 1800s, Manchester saw an explosion of pioneering scientific instruments and precision toolmakers. Furnivel’s skills as a clock case maker integrating precision mechanical pieces with intricate woodwork transferred well to creating cameras and camera equipment.

Furnivel gained a good reputation within the Manchester Photographic Society (founded in 1855), with one member stating, “Mr J A Furnivel’s deservedly well-known camera can only be obtained direct from the maker. We may add that the Manchester-made camera is a thoroughly sound affair, and we can recommend it, having used one for years past.” The Photographic Record. The organ of the Manchester Photographic Society. Vol 1 (1890).

Furnival was working during an exciting time in Manchester’s photographic technology development, being contemporary with James Mudd, photographer (1821-1906), J T Chapman, camera maker (1843-1907) and Thornton-Pickard, camera maker (founded 1888) and John Benjamin Dancer renowned scientific instrument maker and inventor of microphotography (1812 – 1887).