In 2009, I bought a 1939 Deardorff 8×10 camera from Blue Moon Camera and Machine. At the time, the owner, Jake Shivery, told me that it had come from Ackroyd Studios, which had been on Yeon Ave in NW Portland for decades. I later bought a 1920’s Ansco Whole Plate camera on commission for Ackroyd as well. At the time, I did not know the history of that studio, but Jake would occasionally call my Deardorff a “famous camera.”
Over the years, I have used it as my main 8×10 camera, acquiring 4×5 and 5×7 reducing backs for it in order to extend its versatility. Being over 80 years old, it has not always been well-behaved. Recent severe light leak issues, as well as the front standard occasionally slipping during a photograph, made me swear I was going to sell it. I drove back to Blue Moon Camera on May 1st 2021 on a mission to replace it, or get it repaired if that was possible.
Jake had told me that he had someone who repaired his Deardorff, so I enquired about getting mine done as well. Jake told me that the repairman would be happy to do it because he knew I would use it, and that it was a famous camera.
How famous is it? The truth is, I have no idea. It had been a vague concept to me over the years. The only clue I have is a name: Hugh Ackroyd. I found out that he was a bit of a character, even holding his own wake in 2009, strangely enough, about the time I bought his camera. He was a well-known photographer in Portland, and became famous for his aerial photography.
I started following breadcrumbs I found online, starting with the “wake” story, and an announcement from 1991 from the Portland Photographic Society. Click here. The breadcrumbs, however, didn’t lead very far.
A photographer from Washington happened upon me in Ruthton Park in Hood River, Oregon, and snapped the above picture of me with the Deardorff in 2017. He was using a long lens, which flattens out the subject, seeming to add weight to a person. In this case, it was added specifically to my face. I am not Grizzly Adams in real life, but I like the picture.
I found out that Hugh died in 2012, but not much else. I have found photographs by him, but none of him with his “famous” camera. Word of mouth is a way to be famous in the days before the Web, so for now, it’s all I have to go on.
The camera is in the hands of the repairman. The original owner remains mostly a mystery. I will keep looking. I may even interview Jake if I can. He’s quite busy.
Featured image photo credit: Gaia Quay.
