Folmer & Schwing Mfg. Co., New York, NY
Sky Scraper Camera
Folmer &
Schwing Catalog, 1904, p. 48
8x10,
Serial No. 4556. This camera has two brass
labels. One is at the top of the front standard, shown in the left
hand photo. A close-up is shown in the right hand photo. Another label, identical to the one above, is on the
top surface of the back standard. The serial number "4556" is
stamped at the rear end of the platform/base frame. Date Introduced: - ;
Years Manufactured: c. 1900-1905 The Skyscraper View Camera is designed for photographing tall
buildings without tilting the camera back, the lens board has
significantly greater rise than other cameras due to the tall front
standard; the back has a fine focusing screw to make up for not having
gears. This original Sky Scraper model,
with its curved swing hardware and fine-focus screw (missing) seems to
be a throwback to wet-plate field cameras of the 1850's-1870's, like the
American Optical Philadelphia Stereo View and the
Samuel Peck Stereo View. The
Improved Sky
Scraper Camera has gear focus
on the side, and a different arrangement of swing. The camera has a small, threaded hole in the rear
standard that appears to be able to hold a fine focus screw assembly,
but the assembly is not present.
Construction: rear focus
via push-pull; reversing by removable back; double swing;
three-piece lens board
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base;
black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 8x10 (above); 11x14; 14x17
and larger sizes(!) made to order
Notes:
References:
Andrew J. Lloyd (Boston, MA) catalog 1900
Photographic Encyclopedia, Andrew J. Lloyd & Co. (Boston, MA),
1901, p. 109
Graflex and Graphic Cameras (Folmer & Schwing Catalog), 1904.
pp. 48-49
Photo Materials, George Murphy, Inc. (New
York, NY), 1910-1911, p. 47-48
