 Moy & Bastie serial #418
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This Moy & Bastie has the smoothest and best
running movement of any of the cameras in the
collection. If Hollywood were still making Silents
this camera would be in production today. I don't believe
this camera was ever a rental camera because it shows no
signs of being overly used. This gives me the
feeling that it was a personal camera for a popular,
working DP. Serviced well, never abused but used as a
tool of the trade.
Contemplating the state of the art in optical glass
and mechanical engineering around 1910 it is easy
to see Moy and Bastie cameras as machines that were at
the Zenith of the Industrial Age.
This Ivory tag is found on the main frame of the
movement, just inside the door on the crank side of the
camera. It is about one half inch by about three inches.
It has a 2 inch (50mm) f3.5 Cooke Lens. The lens has
just been cleaned and lubricated by Greg Reilman, head of
the optical department at Clairmont Camera, Hollywood. It
was put on the lens projector at Clairmont Camera and
found to have surprisingly clear optics.
I find this camera to be a great compliment to the
skill of the craftsmen from the early period of the
motion picture industry.
 The chain drive drunken screw movement is a
marvel to look at and it's magical to watch it go through
it's paces. It turns so smooth and easy it's difficult to
believe this camera is rapidly approaching its hundredth
birthday.
The wood and brass on this camera tell a story that
this camera was no "Shelf Queen". It has a look
that is marvelously and obviously an antique camera. Of
all cameras, this would be one of those you would really
like to hear it tell it's story.
The interior of this camera is in wonderful condition.
All the original lacquer over the polished brass gears is
still intact. Some of the black paint has slightly flaked
from the shutter but this is a process that has been
stopped right at the very beginning.
Optional Wood and Brass tripod and Gear Head
available.
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