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. Bottom Top Plate Holder Close-up of the
Unique Profile of Gennert Plate Holders Stamp on top of the ground
glass frame:
8 x 10", Serial No. 2088 Stamps on top of the
platform/bed: Stamps on top of the ground
glass frame:
Another 8 x 10", Serial No. 3083 Stamps on top of the
platform/bed: Stamps on top of the ground
glass frame: 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 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:
"Pat. May 7, 1889" (this probably refers to Erastus Barker's patent No.
402711 for a camera having a spring back)
"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)
"Patented 1881"
"Pat. May 7, 1889" (this probably refers to Erastus Barker's patent No.
402711 for a camera having a spring back)
"G. Gennert Manufacturer New York"
"Pat. Appl'd For"
"3083" (digits stamped separately - probably a serial number)
"Patented 1881"
"Pat. May 7, 1889" (this probably refers to Erastus Barker's patent No.
402711 for a camera having a spring back)
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:
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
