Over a year ago I received my camera from Star Camera Co. and obviously needed a tripod for it. Mentioning this to a friend who is a former cabinet maker with a small shop still in his garage, he took the challenge. Working from sketches and historical references in photographs, he made this. He had made a few copies of eighteenth century surveying tripods before for his work reenacting revolutionary era surveyors and was familiar with the basic design.
When I saw the final product, I was floored. There are no words to express my gratitude for this amazing gift. I have to say that this field tripod will last me the rest of my life and will be among my treasured possessions until the end. What makes it even more special is that it was created by a dear friend, and given to me as a gift.
As a fellow reenactor and student of American history who loves to teach about the people and tools that made that history, he was happy to be able to provide me with an instrument that I will be able to use in my portrayal and teach with. It has been used heavily this last year and now shows signs of honest wear. I am humbled by the generosity of friends lately, that's a whole other blog post for later, but after almost 50 years, I am blessed with a handful of pure, distilled, fire tested friends. I hope to return the favor somehow. Thanks Eddie!!
