Imperial 5x7 View Camera (Body Only) - Imperial Camera Co., Lacrosse, WI
Description from piercevaubel.com
"Date Introduced: 1901 ; Years Manufactured: 1901-1903
Construction: front and rear focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails); double swing rear; reversing by removable back
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black leatherette bellows; brass hardware, lacquer finish
Sizes Offered: 5x7, 6 ½x8 ½, 8x10, 11x14
Notes: The probable manufacturer of the Imperial View was The Imperial Camera and Manufacturing Co., incorporated in January, 1901 and bought out and moved by the Conley Camera Co. of Spring Grove, MN in 1903 (A History of Photography in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 1853-1930; MS Thesis, UW-LaCrosse; Edwin L. Hill; 1978; murphylibrary.uwlax.edu/digital/thesis/1978/hill.pdf). However, there also was another company, The Imperial Camera Co. of Grand Rapids, WI, that manufactured at least a large studio and enlarging camera (The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1897, The Scovill & Adams Co., page ads034). Considering that they were both in Wisconsin (although about 100 miles apart), the two Imperial companies are likely related (one the successor of the other), but there is not enough data at this time to determine the chronology. The back of the above camera (having a celluloid label marked Imperial) is similar to that on the same era Rochester Optical Co. cameras; rear swing hardware is similar to that on Century Camera Co. cameras; the front standard is also very similar to the Century View (even the label shape), but the front has the classic Rochester Optical Co. s-shaped lens board retainers. The best part is the nifty little inset and peek-a-boo plumb bob. [Emphasis mine.] The engraving above is from a problematical 1903 ad (see reference below) which is for the Seneca View Camera, and which also has an engraving of the real Seneca View, but also has a second engraving of the Imperial, but with no model name, description or offer to sell it."
So, this body is 120 years old, and still has the rear rails with it! There are nicks, scuffs, and a crack in the rear standard, but that crack appears to have been mended. It's missing one knob (3rd photo), but you can still lock the front standard in place.
Lensboard dimensions are 3.75" x 3.75".
The bellows has holes in it, so that will require repair or replacement. I've made several large format bellows out of regular black cotton cloth and strips of stiff cardboard as strengtheners for the pleats. It's not a difficult job to make a new bellows, but you might want to keep the existing leather for historical purposes.
Asking $100 + S/H from zip code 47401. Box will be approx. 14 x 12 x 10.
Description from piercevaubel.com
"Date Introduced: 1901 ; Years Manufactured: 1901-1903
Construction: front and rear focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails); double swing rear; reversing by removable back
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black leatherette bellows; brass hardware, lacquer finish
Sizes Offered: 5x7, 6 ½x8 ½, 8x10, 11x14
Notes: The probable manufacturer of the Imperial View was The Imperial Camera and Manufacturing Co., incorporated in January, 1901 and bought out and moved by the Conley Camera Co. of Spring Grove, MN in 1903 (A History of Photography in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, 1853-1930; MS Thesis, UW-LaCrosse; Edwin L. Hill; 1978; murphylibrary.uwlax.edu/digital/thesis/1978/hill.pdf). However, there also was another company, The Imperial Camera Co. of Grand Rapids, WI, that manufactured at least a large studio and enlarging camera (The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1897, The Scovill & Adams Co., page ads034). Considering that they were both in Wisconsin (although about 100 miles apart), the two Imperial companies are likely related (one the successor of the other), but there is not enough data at this time to determine the chronology. The back of the above camera (having a celluloid label marked Imperial) is similar to that on the same era Rochester Optical Co. cameras; rear swing hardware is similar to that on Century Camera Co. cameras; the front standard is also very similar to the Century View (even the label shape), but the front has the classic Rochester Optical Co. s-shaped lens board retainers. The best part is the nifty little inset and peek-a-boo plumb bob. [Emphasis mine.] The engraving above is from a problematical 1903 ad (see reference below) which is for the Seneca View Camera, and which also has an engraving of the real Seneca View, but also has a second engraving of the Imperial, but with no model name, description or offer to sell it."
So, this body is 120 years old, and still has the rear rails with it! There are nicks, scuffs, and a crack in the rear standard, but that crack appears to have been mended. It's missing one knob (3rd photo), but you can still lock the front standard in place.
Lensboard dimensions are 3.75" x 3.75".
The bellows has holes in it, so that will require repair or replacement. I've made several large format bellows out of regular black cotton cloth and strips of stiff cardboard as strengtheners for the pleats. It's not a difficult job to make a new bellows, but you might want to keep the existing leather for historical purposes.
Asking $100 + S/H from zip code 47401. Box will be approx. 14 x 12 x 10.
