Butcher’s Famous Cameras included a line of 35mm cinematograph cameras and projectors produced under the “Empire” name. By 1914, the line included four different cine camera models; The Empire No. 1, Empire No. 2, Empire No. 3 and the Empire No. 10. Butcher’s nearly 1400 page catalog, The Camera House Price List published in 1914 included almost 200 pages of early cinema gear. But were these cameras and projectors actually produced by Butcher as indicated on the respective name plates?

Let’s take a look at two models “manufactured” by Butcher, the Empire No. 1 and Empire No. 3.

From the range of Empire Cinematograph Cameras, a model will be found to meet every need.

The No. 1 is a most efficient Camera at a low price, which for those requiring to take only an occasional topical film is a very excellent instrument.

The No. 2 and 10 Models have the advantage of taking a longer length of film, and are fitted with an Indicator, Automatic Film Punch, and several other useful devices.

The No. 3 Model is supplied for those who require a Camera of the highest quality for constant use. Each of the above is recommended as representing the utmost value at its respective price.

The Camera House Price List, W. Butcher & Sons Ltd. 1914

The Empire No. 1

The Empire No. 1. BE YOUR OWN CINEMATOGRAPHER.

Everyone exhibiting Films should know how to take them.

Body is of seasoned mahogany, highly polished, highest workmanship.

Lens fitted is a “Voightlander Euroscope” of 2 3/4" in. equivalent focus, f/6.3. or Zeiss "Tessar" f/6.3, 3 in, focus.

Mechanism constructed on the "claw" principle working from a "cam."

Film Boxes are light, perfectly light-tight, with a capacity of 120 feet.

View Finder is of the direct view pattern and is detachable.

Weight of Camera, 5 lbs. 8 ozs.

Measurement of Camera, 9½ in.× 4 5/8 in. x 9 1/4 in.

The Lens is of fixed focus.

The Mechanism is simple and reliable, and requires no attention.

The Camera House Price List, W. Butcher & Sons Ltd. 1914

The W. Butcher & Sons Empire No. 1 Cinematographic Camera was actually manufactured by the The Charles Urban Trading Company and its maker Alfred Darling. Urban and Darling first introduced their Urban “Junior” Bioscope Cinematographic Camera which was created as an affordable and simple alternative for amateurs, exhibitors, and even missionaries in 1907. 6 years later, W. Butcher & Sons started offering the very same Urban Junior, re-branded as their first model in the Empire line, the model No. 1…this became a trend with Butcher’s cine cameras as you will see next with the model No. 3.

Later versions of the model No. 1 were produced by Williamson Kinomatograph Co. who also produced the Houghton “Ensign” 35mm and Pathescope of America’s 28mm New Premier Daylight Loading Safety Standard Motion Picture Camera.

The Empire No. 3

The No. 3 Model is supplied for those who require a Camera of the highest quality for constant use.

THE CHIEF FEATURES ARE:

The film boxes have a capacity of 350 ft.

A focussing tube is provided, allowing the film to be viewed from the rear.

The gate and back of film race are detachable.

The mask is removable to enable others of special shape to be inserted.

Two eight picture sprockets feed and take up the film.

The camera may be turned upside down if desired

On the "driving side" there are three spindles on which the handle screws. The bottom one gives forward movement to film, the top one being used when it is required to run the film .n the reverse direction for trick subjects.

The intermediate spindle gives one picture to one turn of handle.

A film indicator up to 300 ft. is fitted.

The case is of best Spanish mahogany, highly polished. All corners are brass-bound.

It is smaller and lighter than other instruments of this type.

Finest workmanship and finish throughout.

The Camera House Price List, W. Butcher & Sons Ltd. 1914

“Manufactured by W. Butcher & Sons Ltd.”

The W. Butcher & Sons Empire No. 3 Cinematograph Camera was actually manufactured by Prestwich Manufacturing, and is their Prestwich No. 5 model with some poorly done rebranding. The Prestwich Kinematograph Model 5 cine camera for 35mm film became Prestwich’s most popular model. Prestwich’s attention to detail and quality of build is what sets it apart. Australian cinematographer Frank Hurley chose the Model 5 for the now infamous Shackleton Antarctic Expedition. Prestwich cameras were trusted in the harshest conditions, were extremely reliable and built with the highest quality components available at the time.

Butcher did a poor job of rebranding the Prestwich, the footage dial still contained the Prestwich name and the internal engraved copyright and serial number from Prestwhich manufacturing is still intact on the internal frame only now partially covered by a new plate with the Empire Logo and Model number. But to anyone familiar with the Model No. 5, it’s instantly recognizable as a Prestwich with its heavy duty brass hardware, patented sliding lock mechanism and unique hinged lens board and external shutter. Even the cutout hinge allowing for the upper shaft is there…all iconic Prestwich characteristics. Yet again, Butcher started selling their model No. 3 about 6 years after Prestwich first introduced the Prestwich Kinematograph Model 5 in 1907.

So, did W. Butcher & Sons actually manufacture the Empire No. 3, assemble it from parts provided by Prestwich, or simply attach the two name plates and claim it was manufactured by W. Butcher & Sons? I dont think we will ever know for sure, but what is certain is this that this is indeed a Prestwich No. 5.

Empire No. 2 and No. 10

W. Butcher & Sons also offered the Empire No. 2 and Empire No. 10 in their 1914 Catalog.

I have never personally seen either model, so I am not sure who manufactured them originally. If you have either of these models, please shoot me an email from the link in the upper left corner of this page.

Check out my earlier blog post on the Urban “Junior” Bioscope Cinematographic Camera.