1894 J. Lancaster Instantograph 1/2 plate folding camera - ex condition

Description

For auction is an antique J. Lancaster & Sons "1894 Instantograph" half plate camera in beautiful unrestored working condition with a dark slide. This is an amazing example of English camera craftmanship at its height.
Made by the renowned optician and camera makers J. Lancaster & Sons of Birmingham, UK, the camera is made of mahogany with brass fittings. Here's some background on the company: https://camerapedia.fandom.com/wiki/Lancaster
There are two identifying ivorine plaques on the camera body: "The 1894 Instantograph Patent" on the camera top and "J.Lancaster & Son Birmingham" on the bottom.
I have attempted to show the condition of the camera in the photographs.
When closed, the camera dimensions are 8"w x 8 5/8"H and and the body depth is about 3" (excluding the lens); the extended length is 15 3/4".
The wooden body has a beautiful French shellac polish finish. The joinery is exceptional throughout. Note the precision hand-cut dovetails in the frame and splines in the pristine lens board.  There are scratches from normal wear and tear given the age of the camera.  I noticed a small chip on the bottom of the camera which, I have indicated in one of the photos.
The lens is inscribed "J.Lancaster & Son's, Patent Birm." and is the very desirable rotary model that operates with a rubber band (aka the "rubber band" shutter") -- see more details here: http://www.earlyphotography.co.uk/site/entry_S7.html. The lens has apertures of af10, f20 and f30 and "time" notations 1, 2, 4 and 8. The lens does have a fungus spot as you can see from the close-up photo of the lens as well as some dust. Also there are some scratches on the brass barrel.
All of the brass knobs that extend the camera bellows and used for focusing appear to be working and when tightened will secure properly.
The black leather tapered bellows are for the most part in great shape and still has its original luster, but there is one bottom section that is torn -- I have noted this in one of the photos.
The dark slide interior measures 4.75" x 6.5" which is the half-plate size for glass plate negatives. You could also modify for wet plate photos, particularly ambrotypes, or even calotypes, which I have done.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the camera and I will answer to the best of my ability.
Finally, I will soon be listing a very rare 1850's English sliding box wet plate camera.
Ship to US addresses only; by USPS Priority Mail.