Gandolfi 5x4 inch field camera with four dark slides.The Gandolfi company was founded in 1885 by Louis Gandolfi and survived until the 1990\'s. It was the last of the classic British camera making companies who made high quality cameras by hand in very small quantities.All woodwork and brass-work was made in-house and most cameras were made to order.This camera would have been made by the three sons of Louis - Arthur, Frederick and Thomas - who ran the company from 1928. Arthur, the last of the brothers died in 1993.
Gandolfi cameras, especially in 5x4 and 10x8 sizes, have always been prized cameras and have been owned and used by the good and the great.
Being a very small company and making everything by hand meant that not many cameras were produced. They are getting harder to find.
This example is in very good condition but it is not mint.
The woodwork is free of splits ( well-seasoned mahogany was used) but there is minor damage to the base where it seems to have been clamped to something in the past. There are also some screw-holes that have been filled. Photo 9 shows this.
The brass-work is in good condition but there is some minor blackening where the lacquer has rubbed. Close up photos show this.
The bellows are in excellent condition.There is no lens but the camera is supplied with an original lens-board. It is rare for one of these to survive so long.The camera is double extension and has a good range of movement on the front and rear. Everything works as it should do.Hopefully the large photos will give you a clear idea of what the camera is like but if there is anything else you need to know, please ask.