What would you do with this?

[campy51]

I don't have a lens or holders or a stand so I don't know if it's worth pursuing. The back slides to different positions and looks like 5x7 but I didn't have a tape measure with me

.

 

[Tel]

I thought this might be a copy camera or even part of an enlarger, but a search of the Piercevaubel site came up with the Folmer & Schwing/Century "Sky Scraper" camera designed for architectural photography. Interesting, and it's got an internal air-driven shutter....
http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1906centurylp253.htm#page 16-17

 

[Kino]

The "Sky Scraper" description of the bellows doesn't match. The badge says "Century No. 2" but it doesn't look anything like a stock #2 to me.
Maybe a "Frankencamera" studio type? Still a nice camera...

 

[shutterfinger]

Sky Scraper and view cameras have front rise, portrait cameras have a fixed front standard. The camera in question has a fixed front standard. All cameras made by Century/Folmer and Schwing were not listed in catalogs.
Eastman Kodak purchased Century Camera Co. in 1902 and Folmer and Schwing in 1905 then merged them in 1907.
The camera in question matches a #5 Post Card camera http://piercevaubel.com/cam/catalogs/1908sweetwallachlp767.htm page 49.
The camera in question has a Packard shutter installed in the front standard, a common modification of the era by 3rd party companies.

 

[Tel]

The front standard looks like the Sky Scraper but the rear standard with its laterally-sliding plate holder looks like one of the studio models. Possibly a hybrid merger of the two...? The 1906 catalogue shows a no.3 and no.4 model of the studio cameras; so there was likely a no.2 at some point, which might explain the badge.

But the answer to the question is: restore it and shoot with it!

 

[removed account4]

split 5x7 is a great format!
what would I do ? I'd get a table to put it on or make something to put it on
and get a 300 mm lens (barrel). and a few beater 5x7 holders and shoot paper negative portraits with it
looks like fun !

 

[campy51]

It was from a friends grandfather who was a portrait photographer. Any value in a trade?

 

[mshchem]

That's a nice little camera. The shutter is cool. I have a monster F&S 11x14 commercial camera, same beautiful (real) Central America mahogany. Biggest issue is no gg back

 

[mshchem]

I don't have a lens or holders or a stand so I don't know if it's worth pursuing. The back slides to different positions and looks like 5x7 but I didn't have a tape measure with me
View attachment 284792 View attachment 284793 View attachment 284794 View attachment 284795
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Look for the ground glass back

 

[Tel]

It was from a friends grandfather who was a portrait photographer. Any value in a trade?

A quick review of similar offerings on the evilbay shows asking prices upwards of $600, depending on condition and completeness, more or less. I'd happily take it but I drew the line at 15 view cameras. Likely worth something to the right person...