Portable "Laboratoire Americain" Darkroom, c. 1890

J.D. & F.J., 124 et 125 Rue Lafayette, France. Stamped "Laboratoire Americain, breveté en France et à l’Etranger", ingeniously constructed portable darkroom case, with two rear doors enclosing developing table for two 13 x 18 cm trays; the right-hand side with 14 x 21 cm opening for ruby glasses (several present) and doors for powders, accessories and built-in plate-holder; the left-hand side with compartments for chemical bottles, including five original marked bottles; the front with two flaps that serve as a lid, the lower flap letting in fresh air and light, a roller blind to shut out the light, water tank and tripod-mount on the underside, dimensions closed: 38 x 23 x 47 cm, open: 76 x 67 x 55 cm, missing rod for dark cloth, otherwise good condition. - In addition: Five 13 x 18 cm porcelain dishes (somewhat long for transport inside the case), marked "Développement, Lavage, Bain d’Alun, Bain de Virage und Bain Renforcateur" (developing, washing, hardening, toning and intensification), and a corresponding plate box marked "Plaques Américaines Instantanées". - A rare survival from the early days of portable developing.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)