Set of two spy-type cameras, "The Demon" Walter O'Reilly Lon - Lot 747

Set of two spy-type cameras, "The Demon" Walter O'Reilly London and the "Expo-Montre Camera", as is. N.B. Jean-Marie PRADES: The Demon has a cylindrical shape, and is made from nickel-plated sheet metal. The plate format is approx. 6 x 6 cm, to obtain a round image with a diameter of 5.5 cm (...) The lens has two elements (not glued), with a focal length of approx. 45 mm and a fixed aperture of f/10. There's no plate-holder frame: the plate is inserted directly into the camera via a cloth bag and held in place by a presser. When shooting, the bag remains in the same position, and the bottom flap of the camera is closed, folding the bag back on itself and ensuring light-tightness. But the originality of this camera lies above all in its shutter mode. The shutter is a simple flap mounted on an axle and held closed by a coil spring and a shutter release attached to the camera. A small rubber band is attached to the shutter and to the camera body opposite the shutter release. When the shutter release is activated, the shutter is pulled open by the rubber band, and once this is released, the shutter closes again thanks to the coil spring (...)". Visual and text "Autour d'une collection2 " Collection JMP Club Niépce Lumière, p. 162. Expert Isabelle Cazeils. Provenance: Jean-Marie PRADES Collection. Two spy cameras.