Rochester Camera Co.
Rochester Camera & Supply Co.
Rochester Optical & Camera Co.
King Camera Variation 2
Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Camera & Supply Co. (Rochester, NY),
1899. p.35
5 x 7, Serial
No. 617
Date Introduced: - ;
Years Manufactured: c.1896-c.1903
Construction: front focus
via rack and pinion (gears internal to base); single swing;
three-piece lens board; reversing by removable back
Materials: mahogany body; mahogany bed; red
leather bellows; brass hardware;
Sizes Offered: 5x7; 5x8; 6 ½-8 ½; 8x10;
11x14
Notes:
The King View Camera is an English compact style, in that the back folds towards the platform of the camera for storage. It was no doubt suggested by the once extensive line of English style cameras offered by the Rochester Optical Co. that included the Carleton, Universal, Monitor and Kenwood. This camera, however, was introduced by the Rochester Camera Mfg. Co., a rival company to Rochester Optical Co., and a company established in 1891 in direct competition to Rochester Optical by ex-employees, including H.B. Carleton, the brother of the director of Rochester Optical, W.F. Carlton. The Rochester Camera Mfg. Co. survived a number of company name changes or re-organizations, eventually being re-unified with Rochester Optical.
All cameras made by Rochester Camera Mfg. Co. have the unique property amongst U.S. view cameras of having four springs on their spring backs that point in the same direction. This model is no exception. Apparently this was somewhat a bone of contention, since, when the Rochester Camera Co. was formed from Rochester Camera Mfg. Co. in 1895, the springs begin to face one another. In that the springs are cut from flat sheet brass, they could be installed either way merely by turning two of them over.
There are two variations so far in the King View Camera so far, apparently separating by manufacturer. Their differences are in 1) the disposition of the four springs that constitute the spring back, and 2) the presence of a piece of brass on the sides of the platform that appears to provide a registration or set point for closing the camera up.
Variation 1 (Rochester Camera Mfg. Co.): This variation, like all view cameras made by the Rochester Camera Mfg. Co. has its four springs of its spring back all facing the same direction. It does not have the brass pieces on the sides of the platform.
Variation 2 (Rochester Camera Co., Rochester Camera & Supply Co., Rochester Optical & Camera Co.): This variation has two of the four springs in its spring back facing the other two. It does have the brass pieces on the sides of the platform.
References:
Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Camera Co. (Rochester, NY),
May 1896. pp.
4-5
Dept. 5: Photographic Lenses, Supplies,
etc. 2nd ed.; Andrew J. Lloyd
& Co. (Boston, MA), 1897,
p. 41
Hand Cameras, Kodaks and Supplies, R. Dempster (Omaha, NE), 1897,
p. 38 (as The Omaha Camera)
Department 5, Photographic Supplies, Lenses, etc., Andrew J. Lloyd
& Co. (Boston, MA), undated c.1898, p.44
Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Camera & Supply Co. (Rochester, NY),
1899. pp. 34-35
Illustrated Catalogue No. 18,
L.M. Prince & Bros. (Cincinnati, OH), c. 1899, p. 35
Catalogue of Photographic Sundries,
Jas. H. Smith & Co. (Chicago, IL) Catalog, 1899, p. 17
Photography has Made the Sun an Artist,
Andrew J. Lloyd (Boston, MA) catalog, 1899, p.74
The Poco Camera , Rochester Camera & Supply Co. (Branch of
Rochester Optical & Camera Co., Rochester, NY), 1900, p. 38-39
The
International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. XII for
1900, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1900, ads,
p.58
Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical &
Camera Co. (Rochester, NY) Catalog, 1901,
pp. 8-9
Photographic Encyclopedia, Andrew J. Lloyd &
Co. (Boston, MA), 1901, p. 106
Illustrated Catalogue No. IIII of Professional and Amateur
Photographer's Supplies, Wm. F. Uhlman (St. Joseph, MO), c.1901, p.
40
Andrew J. Lloyd Catalog (Chicago, IL), 1902,
p. 191
Poco Cameras, Rochester Camera & Supply Co. (Rochester, NY),
1902, p.38
The Poco Camera, Rochester Camera & Supply Co. (Rochester, NY),
1903, p.23
Catalogue Photographic, Chicago Photo Materials Co. (Chicago,
IL) Catalog, 1903, p. 24
Back to Rochester Optical Group of Manufacturers
