87. 'Ticka' Camera, c. 1906

Inscribed internally: 'TICKA AN EVER READY WAISTCOAT POCKET CAMERA. PATENTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.' and made (see back) by 'HOUGHTONS LIMITED'

Shaped like a pocket watch with simple meniscus lens in the 'winding stem', guillotine shutter released by small button at the top of case. The lens must be covered with screw-on cap secured to a chain (missing) between exposures. Takes 25 exposures each 15 x 23 mm on specially cartridge-loaded rollfilm.

The manufacturers claimed that over 10,000 were sold during the first three months, and that Queen Alexandra was a Ticka user. In 1908 Houghtons produced a Watchface version with the dummy hour and minute hands indicating the camera's angle of view and another with a focal plane shutter, giving speeds of 1/70 to 1/400 second. The Ticka did not survive the First World War.

Diameter 55 mm, depth 21 mm.
Inventory no. 67,903.