Albion Albumenizing Company

THE ALBION ALBUMENIZING CO., 96, Bath Street, Glasgow.

    Practitioners of the “dark art”, who, in these days, are not alchemists but photographers, are under great obligations to the Albion Albumenizing Company, Glasgow, for the improvements wrought by that Company in the manufacture of photographic requisites, and the fact that the Company supply everything incidental to photography.

    The Company referred to was established in 1864. Photography then was in its infancy, for, though the art of securing sun pictures had been discovered, the methods in vogue then were exceedingly crude, and the results obtained, judged by existing standards, defective. Photographers, of course, were sorely handicapped at first by lack of knowledge concerning the best processes ; secondly by their lack of the best apparatus and best chemical aids. The business of photographic supply was, however, revolutionised when the Albion Albumenizing Company entered the field, and, during the twenty-seven years of the Company’s existence, it has kept pace with every new discovery, thus enabling its clients to procure every requisite whereby the most recent developments may be adopted, and the enterprising photographer finds himself up to date. To professional photographers this is a matter of vital importance, considering the pressure of competition and the exacting requirements of the public now-a-days. But there has come into existence during recent years a great army of amateur photographers, and they, also, are desirous not to be eclipsed by rivals ; they do not care to adhere to methods which have been superseded by better ones. The advantage of obtaining everything incidental to photography from one firm instead of getting one article here and another there must be obvious, and the numerous customers of the Albion Albumenizing Company appreciate the facilities placed at their disposal by it.

    The Company under consideration is practically that of F. W. Verel & Co., and the manager is Mr. W. A. Verel, junior, a gentleman thoroughly conversant with the business and an able administrator. The premises in Bath Street, Glasgow, consist of warehouse and showroom, a dark room for the use of amateur photographers, offices, and workshop. The manufacturing part of the business is not situated here but at Cathcart, near Glasgow, where there are extensive works covering a large area of ground and employing numerous hands, manufacturing their well-known “Dry Plates” and “Ready Sensitized Paper”. It would be impossible, within reasonable limits, to describe or even to mention the numerous useful and ingenious contrivances made and supplied by the Company under notice, considering that the illustrated catalogue it issues, extends to seventy-six pages, including an index which itself occupies two pages.

    Briefly speaking, however, it may be stated that they deal in all kinds of photographic apparatus, materials, and chemicals. A speciality is made of the Albion Long Focus Camera, with reversing back, for horizontal and vertical negatives, fitted with new double swing back arrangement which adds nothing to the weight and is easily adjusted. This camera is likewise fitted with rack and pinion focus, best leather bellows, rising front, and is very light and compact. Photographers, whether professional or amateur, will understand the value and practical utility of such an invention. A speciality is also made of the Albion Combination Long and Short Focus Camera, which will work with a three-inch focus lens, the body of the camera, following up the front, thus removing the drawback common to long focus cameras when using short focus lenses, the tail board cutting oft part of the picture. Both the appliances described are characterised by the best quality, workmanship, and finish, and as their merits become known, the demand for them persistently increases.

    The firm’s connection, as may be inferred from the character of the trade and the completeness of their stock, is a very important one. It extends all over the United Kingdom, and by a no inconsiderable number orders are executed for customers abroad. The telegraphic address of the Glasgow establishment is “Albumen, Glasgow”, and of the works at Cathcart, “Matchless, Cathcart”.

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