Dallmeyer (J.H.) Tailboard Camera

{"overview":"The J.H. Dallmeyer Tailboard Camera is a late-19th-century British wooden plate camera of the tailboard pattern, named for the hinged rear bed that folds down to allow the lens standard to rack out for focusing. Today in 2026 the value of any given example is tied closely to the condition of the bellows, the woodwork and, above all, the originality and clarity of the accompanying Dallmeyer lens, which often carries more of the price than the body itself.","buying_guide":"Inspect the bellows for pinholes and corner splits, check that the tailboard hinge and rack-and-pinion focus are tight and not stripped, and confirm the ground-glass screen and plate holders are present and undamaged. The brass Dallmeyer lens should be checked for matching serial numbers to any engraving on the camera, clean glass without balsam separation, and a working iris or waterhouse-stop slot.

Generated summary, 22 Apr 2026 — not checked by hand; prices on this page come from the sales, not from this text.