Photographic Apparatus and Chemical Preparations

Catalogue

Messrs Bland & Long  -  1856

Portable Dark Tent

©  Reproduced by courtesy of Edinburgh Photographic Society

The portable dark tent above folds into the box below, measuring 24 x18 x 4 inches.

Portable Dark Tent (folded)

©  Reproduced by courtesy of Edinburgh Photographic Society

The item above is described in Messrs Bland & Long's catalogue as:

Portable Dark Tent

for working the Collodion process

in the country

Portable Dark Tent

The catalogue said: 

"A good substitute for a dark room has long been a desideratum to photographers in Collodion, and we have much pleasure in submitting the present invention to the notice of photographers generally, as combining all that can be required for the purpose of open air work.

The Tent

The tent consists of a strong and roomy table, mounted on a firm Tripod Stand; from the top of the table at each corner rise four jointed spring supports, these support a frame over which is stretched yellow calico of three thicknesses;  a black calico envelope covers the whole, and enables the operator to work with as great ease in the open country as he would in his won laboratory at home.

The black envelope is furnished with a circular aperture at the top for admitting light to the interior of the tent.  There is also a curved bar which keeps the covering from touching the head of the operator while at work.   The envelope is bound at its edge with strong webbing, and iron spikes are attached at intervals in order ot secure it to the ground and and prevent the wind and light from getting into the tent.

Packing the Tent

When not in use, the springs that support the yellow calico chamber double inwards and fall quite flat, like an opera hat; the legs of the Tripod then fold up and are laid on top;  finally, the black calico envelope is folded up and laid over these immediately under the cover which secures the whole, the table of the tent forming  the containing box.

These tents have been in use for some time, and we  can pronounce them to answer perfectly and to fulfil all the conditions required in such apparatus.

The extreme size of outside containing box of a tent, suitable for an operator, 6 feet high, is 24 by 18 by 4 inches, forming a very portable and compact case.

£5  5s 0d