G. Gennert, Rochester, New York, NY

 

The Brighton Camera

 

Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus and Supplies, G. Gennert (New York, NY), 1901, p. 58

8 x 10", No Serial No. and no Manufacturer's stamp.  The canvas case is sturdier than other Gennert camera cases.
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-a.w.case&accessories-2000.jpg
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-a-cam.only-1500.jpg
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-b-750.jpg1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-c-750.jpg
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-d-750.jpg1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-e-1500.jpg
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-f-1500.jpg

Bottom
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-bottom-1500.jpg

Top
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-top-1500.jpg

Plate Holder
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-plate.holder-1500.jpg

Close-up of the Unique Profile of Gennert Plate Holders
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-plate.holder-close.up-1500.jpg

Stamp on top of the ground glass frame:
"Pat. May 7, 1889" (this probably refers to Erastus Barker's patent No. 402711 for a camera having a spring back)
1382.gennert-brighton-8x10-stamp.upper.removable.back-1500.jpg

 

8 x 10", Serial No. 2088




Stamps on top of the platform/bed:
"G. Gennert  Manufacturer  New York"
"Pat. Appl'd For"
"2088" (digits stamped separately - probably a serial number; also, the number "30" is stamped on the bottoms of both parts of the platform/bed, which would be assembly numbers)

Stamps on top of the ground glass frame:
"Patented 1881"
"Pat. May 7, 1889" (this probably refers to Erastus Barker's patent No. 402711 for a camera having a spring back)

 

 

 

Another 8 x 10", Serial No. 3083





Stamps on top of the platform/bed:
"G. Gennert  Manufacturer  New York"
"Pat. Appl'd For"
"3083" (digits stamped separately - probably a serial number)

Stamps on top of the ground glass frame:
"Patented 1881"
"Pat. May 7, 1889" (this probably refers to Erastus Barker's patent No. 402711 for a camera having a spring back)

Below: Photo showing the slot in the middle on which the rear standard rides, and the rack and pinion gears (on the edges) on which the front standard rides

 

 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1895-1903
Construction: front rack and pinion focus  (two gear tracks on top of base rails) and rear push-pull focus, double swing, reversible by removable back, three-piece lens board, slot for push-pull focus on middle base rail
Materials:   mahogany body, cherry base, brass hardware, black fabric bellows
Sizes Offered: 5x7, 5x8, 6 ½x8 ½, 8x10, 11x14, 14x17
Notes:

This camera is in the 1903 Gennert Catalog, but not present in the 1904 Gennert Catalog.  The front standard is supported by brackets in side slots and has geared focus, while the rear standard is supported by a post and slider in a central top slot and has push/pull focus.  The lens board is held in by a clever system of precise rabbets - no hardware is needed.  The 8x10 cameras shown above are fairly light for its size, and have excellent fit and finish.  The use of front geared focus and rear push/pull focus in this era is similar to the Scovill Manifold and the Sunart Vici (Smith Magic).

All three of the Gennert cameras: the Oxford Camera LP416, the Brighton Camera LP524 (Serial No. 2088 above) and the Nancy Hanks Camera LP788 came with canvas cases. All of said cases have a similar style, in that the top is hinged on one side, then has a small overhanging flap on two sides, and a large flap on the front. Since they were obtained from different sources, we can safely assume that these are the original cases that were provided by Gennert along with the cameras.

References:
Descriptive Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus and Supplies, G. Gennert (New York, NY), dated Jan. 1, 1895, p.46
The Gennert Photographic Library, A Handbook of Illustration, A. Horsley Hinton, G. Gennert (New York, NY), c.1895, ads p. 15
Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus and Supplies, G. Gennert (New York, NY), 1901, p. 58
Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus and Supplies, G. Gennert (New York, NY), 1903

 

 

Back to G. Gennert Co.