Antique Universal Camera Lucida or Camera Clara. Complete. Paris, France Circa 1910

Antique Universal Camera Lucida or Camera Clara. Complete. Paris, France circa 1910 This antique Universal Camera Lucida or camera clara, manufactured in Paris around 1910 by Pierre Berville, is presented as an exceptionally complete and well-preserved scientific optical instrument. The set preserves its fully intact nickel-plated metal construction, together with its original case lined in deep red velvet that enhances the presence of each piece. This camera lucida belongs to the most appreciated French models due to the precision of their mechanisms and the quality of their prisms, being a clear example of early twentieth-century technical craftsmanship. The system is fixed by a robust metal clamp that allows it to be securely attached to the worktable, ensuring stability during prolonged use and precision in the visualization of the projected image. The adjustment screws remain firm and operative, demonstrating the excellent preservation of the articulated mechanism. The main structure consists of an extendable bar that unfolds smoothly to its full length, something particularly valuable in antique models, since not all preserve the extension path intact. In this case, the extension is complete and operates fluently. The set also incorporates a high-quality articulated system that allows the prism to be oriented according to the draftsman’s needs. The original prism maintains a clean and veil-free transparency, a sign of optimal care over time. It is especially noteworthy that the case preserves the complete series of supplementary lenses, all original and in very good condition, perfectly housed in their velvet compartments. These lenses allow the instrument to be adapted to different focal distances and uses, which made this model a versatile tool for both academic studies and precise artistic work. Along the metal body one observes a bright finish that retains the plating with very slight signs of use, typical of its age and not affecting its operation in any way. The adjustment controls retain their defined knurling and allow the height, inclination and lateral position to be regulated smoothly. The lower fastening mechanism preserves its original threads, without play and with complete travel, which facilitates firm attachment to tables of different thicknesses. The outer case, covered in a material imitating green leather, shows light signs of use, but still closes correctly and protects the contents effectively. Its red velvet interior is well preserved and maintains the shape of its compartments without significant sinking, indicating that the instrument has always been stored with care. This set stands out for its integrity, functionality and completeness, something very uncommon in camera lucidas of this period, since it preserves all its crystals, its original prism in excellent condition and an articulated arm that still operates with precision. Its polished metal finish and elegant aesthetic make it a fully usable instrument and, at the same time, a collectible piece of great historical interest, ideal for studios, libraries or specialized collections in optics and graphic representation. It is a valuable opportunity to acquire an authentic scientific instrument that maintains all its original character and an outstanding level of preservation, making it especially attractive for both display and didactic use. A camera lucida as complete, aesthetic and operational as this one rarely appears on the market and constitutes an excellent addition for any lover of antique optical instruments. Measurements. Maximum total length when fully extended: 54 cm (21.26 in). Case: 27.5 cm (10.83 in). History of the Camera Lucida The camera lucida was invented in 1807 by William Hyde Wollaston, a British physicist and chemist who made important contributions to the study of optics and crystallography. His invention consisted of a special prism capable of superimposing the direct view of the paper with the image of the model or object to be represented, allowing the draftsman to trace contours with accuracy without the need for complex perspective techniques. The instrument had a notable impact in the academic and scientific fields of the nineteenth century, as it facilitated the creation of anatomical, botanical and geological illustrations with a level of precision that previously required great manual skill. Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, various European manufacturers refined the original design. Among them, French and German workshops stood out, introducing finer adjustment systems and series of interchangeable lenses to adapt the camera to different distances and drawing sizes. In the field of artistic teaching, the camera lucida was widely used by academies and schools, and played a relevant role in the training of draftsmen and naturalists. It also became a valued instrument for travellers, explorers and field scientists who needed to record landscapes, monuments and findings with fidelity. Its use progressively declined with the rise of photography, although it never completely disappeared. Today, the camera lucida is valued as a historical object that reflects the evolution of representation techniques before the advent of photographic media. It is preserved in museums dedicated to science, optics and the history of academic drawing. Complete pieces with all their original elements, such as this one, are especially appreciated by collectors and scholars of scientific instruments of the period.