Montgomery Wards & Co., Chicago, IL

 

The Chicago View, Variation 3

Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalog, c. 1905, p. 32

 

 

Seneca Camera Mfg. Co. Seneca View, identical to Montgomery Wards Chicago View Variation 3

 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1905
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:  mahogany body, cherry base, brass hardware, black fabric and rubber bellows
Sizes Offered: 5x7; 6 ½x8 ½, 8x10, 11x14
Notes:

Montgomery Ward did not have camera manufacturing facilities, but rather contracted with the camera manufacturers to produce cameras.  The only difference between such cameras and the model sold by the manufacturer was the label installed.  Contracts could be renewed over decades or a new contract could be negotiated with a different manufacturer.  One of the complicating issues of a contract change is that the model designation didn't necessarily change when the manufacturer changed.

The Chicago View was just such a contracted model.  That is, every Montgomery Ward catalog contains a camera called Chicago View, but there are no fewer than four different variations from at least two different manufacturers.

Chicago View Variation 1, c.1897: Known from the 1897 Montgomery Ward & Co. catalog; it is identical to the Rochester View Var. 1 made at various times by the Rochester Camera Manufacturing Co., the Rochester Camera Co. and the Rochester Camera & Supply Co.

Chicago View Variation 2, c.1901: Known from a camera bearing a celluloid label marked "Chicago View"; it is identical to Rochester View Var. 2 made by the Rochester Optical & Camera Co.

Chicago View Variation 3, c.1905: Known from the 1905 Montgomery Ward & Co. catalog; it is identical to the Seneca View Camera  made by the Seneca Camera Manufacturing Co.  Outfit K392 included camera, lens, shutter, tripod and developing and printing outfit; Outfit K393 was the same without the developing and printing outfit; K394 was camera, carrying case and one plate holder.  The 11x14 size was only offered as K394.

Chicago View Variation 4, c.1905-c.1925: Known from a camera bearing a celluloid label marked "Chicago View  Montgomery Ward & Co."; it is identical to the Seneca View Camera, Improved made by the Seneca Camera Manufacturing Co.

 

References:
Montgomery Ward Catalog, 1903
Special Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Montgomery Ward & Co. (Chicago, IL), c. 1905, p. 32-33

 

 

Back to Miscellaneous Camera Companies