Antique Camera

[Majikiemoon]

This camera was my great uncle’s, and I would like to find more information about it. I am interested in possibly selling, but am uncertain of its value or how to go about it. Any advice? Thanks so much.

 

[koraks]

Welcome aboard!

That's really nice; it looks like a complete field camera outfit for dry plate photography. The camera was made by (or for?) Kodak, and given the name used on the nameplate ("The Eastman Dry Plate and Film Co"), it must be from the late 19th century. Interestingly, the outfit appears to be complete with a tripod as well as several plate holders. I'm not very well at home in plate sizes of that era, only that they weren't all the same as today's sheet film sizes. Going by the photo of the plate holder, I'd say it's probably half plate (4.75x6.5") or perhaps 5x7", but I'd lean towards half plate given the apparent age of the outfit.

Can you confirm that the plate holders actually fit the camera?

I'm a bit at a loss what the 'two-eyed' contraption is (the thing with the two round metal flanges). I'm sure someone here recognizes it. It might help if you could post a few more photos of it, from different angles.

The camera looks in remarkably good condition for its age. I'm sure the bellows are tremendously stiff and probably full of holes, or it might just rip apart if you try to expand it. But I've seen much more modern bellows in far worse condition!

It appears that the camera has the rear section of a lens mounted on the lens board. There likely was (or perhaps still is?) a front section that screws into it. Could you check if it's there with the rest of the stuff you've got?

Sorry, I couldn't venture a guess as to the value of all this, but it's a nice find for sure!

 

[AnselMortensen]

From the above photos, it appears that there are possibly two cameras...
The Dry Plate camera, and a Stereo camera of some sort..(the long lensboard with two flanges.
More photos, from additional angles, would be helpful.

 

[Majikiemoon]

Welcome aboard!

That's really nice; it looks like a complete field camera outfit for dry plate photography. The camera was made by (or for?) Kodak, and given the name used on the nameplate ("The Eastman Dry Plate and Film Co"), it must be from the late 19th century. Interestingly, the outfit appears to be complete with a tripod as well as several plate holders. I'm not very well at home in plate sizes of that era, only that they weren't all the same as today's sheet film sizes. Going by the photo of the plate holder, I'd say it's probably half plate (4.75x6.5") or perhaps 5x7", but I'd lean towards half plate given the apparent age of the outfit.

Can you confirm that the plate holders actually fit the camera?

I'm a bit at a loss what the 'two-eyed' contraption is (the thing with the two round metal flanges). I'm sure someone here recognizes it. It might help if you could post a few more photos of it, from different angles.

The camera looks in remarkably good condition for its age. I'm sure the bellows are tremendously stiff and probably full of holes, or it might just rip apart if you try to expand it. But I've seen much more modern bellows in far worse condition!

It appears that the camera has the rear section of a lens mounted on the lens board. There likely was (or perhaps still is?) a front section that screws into it. Could you check if it's there with the rest of the stuff you've got?

Sorry, I couldn't venture a guess as to the value of all this, but it's a nice find for sure!

I am not super savvy nor do I have a very broad knowledge base about cameras (especially this one, I don’t want to break anything) tried to do a little research online, but it wasn’t overly helpful.

 

[Majikiemoon]

From the above photos, it appears that there are possibly two cameras...
The Dry Plate camera, and a Stereo camera of some sort..(the long lensboard with two flanges.
More photos, from additional angles, would be helpful.

I added additional photos. Thanks for your response.

 

[Tel]

E. H.T. Anthony & Co. Field View Cameras Index

Field View Cameras Eastman Kodak Co./ Folmer & Schwing

The Pierce Vaubel site indicates that Eastman used the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Co. name from 1884 to 1889

 

[cowanw]

look here

Eastman Dry Plate & Film Co. Field Camera

and here

Eastman Dry Plate & Film Co./The Eastman Co. Interchangable View Variation 2

re the 6½"x8½" plates
"This camera is historically significant because it was the very first camera model marketed by George Eastman, and one of only three models sold by Eastman without the Kodak name. The other two were a larger field camera, similar to this one, and a "detective" camera."
Your 529 is close to 523 and so may be 5x8
E and H T Anthony, predecessor of Ansco, were American competitors and the pic you showed may be a compatable 5x8 Victor holder.

 

[Majikiemoon]

look here

Eastman Dry Plate & Film Co. Field Camera

and here

Eastman Dry Plate & Film Co./The Eastman Co. Interchangable View Variation 2

re the 6½"x8½" plates
"This camera is historically significant because it was the very first camera model marketed by George Eastman, and one of only three models sold by Eastman without the Kodak name. The other two were a larger field camera, similar to this one, and a "detective" camera."
Your 529 is close to 523 and so may be 5x8
E and H T Anthony, predecessor of Ansco, were American competitors and the pic you showed may be a compatable 5x8 Victor holder.

Oh, wow. Thank you.

 

[Bob Merlin]

How about some long pictures that shows the whole lot.

 

[Majikiemoon]

Reposting with more photos. This camera was my great uncle’s, and I would like to find more information about it. I am interested in possibly selling, but am uncertain of its value or how to go about it. Any advice? Thanks so much.

 

[Majikiemoon]