Conley Camera Co., Rochester, MN

 

Panoramic View Camera

 

Unmarked Conley Panoramic View Camera, 4x10"

Serial numbers on the underside of the platform

Panoramic View Camera, below: rack and pinion gears that are at the same oblique angle to the long edge of the as platform as Conley camera models 1908-1912.  The Conley cameras c.1910 are the only view cameras known to have employed such oblique gears.  All others, including later Conley cameras, utilize gears that are perpendicular to the long edge of the platform.  This is merely the most unique of many design features of the Panoramic View Camera that is identical to Conley cameras c.1910.

Conley Model No. 1 (1908-1912), below: rack and pinion gears that are at the same oblique angle as the Panoramic View Camera above.

 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1910
Construction: front and rear focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails); double swing; reversing by removable back; three-piece lens board
Materials: cherry wood body; cherry base; black keratol (leatherette). nickeled brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 4x10"
Notes:

     The Conley Camera Co. was active c. 1900-1920s, and made cameras for Sears, Roebuck & Co. as well as under its own label.  Note that the company was located in the Minnesota Rochester. 

Identifying the Camera:

     The front standard of this camera is identical to Conley Camera Co. Model No. 1 (c.1908-c.1912) and the Conley Camera Co. Model No. 2 (c.1904-c.1917).  Especially notable are the shape of the lens board retaining brass and the little clip, which are unique to Conley.
     The base and rack and pinion gears are also Conley, in that they are at an oblique angle rather than perpendicular to the long edge of the platform (see photos above).  The gears are also rather fine in size. Conley products are the only view cameras having such oblique rack and pinion gears. Likewise, the underside of the rear standard is identical to the Conley No. 1. The platform profile is also Conley, having the quirk that its lower edge is wider than its upper edge.  Even the stamping of the serial number on this camera is in the same two locations as Conley, and uses the same large font as Conley cameras. The simple risers holding the pivot for rear tilt that are on the sides of the rear standard are not like Conley, but then neither are they like those of any other manufacturer.  The thumbscrews making the platform rigid are also identical.

     Since so many of the features of this camera are identical to Conley features, I assume that this must have been made in the Conley factory, either as an unadvertised model, or a specially-made camera.

References:

 

 

 

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