Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY
Universal View Camera Variation 1
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, May 1891, p.
2
5 x 8
This camera was advertised on eBay with few photos as a 4x5 size, so I
was surprised to find a 5x8 when it arrived, so these photos are some
you would have never seen. I would have liked to see that 4x5,
though.
Bottom
Top
6 ½ x 8 ½
Date Introduced: - ;
Years Manufactured: c.1890-1892
Construction: front
focus via rack and pinion (gears internal to
base); single or double swing; three-piece lens board; reversing
by removable back
Materials: mahogany body; mahogany bed;
black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 3 ½x4 ½; 4x5; 4 ½x6 ½;
5x7; 5x8; 6 ½x8 ½; 8x10; 10x12; 11x14;
14x17; 17x20
Notes: This is
another one of R.O.C.'s extensive array of English compact style
cameras; w/ two sizes of canvas cases available, plate-holder, tripod.
Variation 1 has a smaller rearmost metal piece
in the hinge than
Variation 2,
which appears in engravings from the 1893 catalog and later. The
reference below to the Cummins logo that includes a Universal is
assumed to have been continued even though the model was discontinued.
References:
Photographic Materials 1889, James
W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), 1889, pp. 59-60
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY,
June 1890, p. 2-3
Photographic
Materials Illustrated,
John Wanamaker, Philadelphia, PA, c.1890, p.2
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus,
Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY, May 1891, p.
2-3
Photographic Material,
Catalogue O & P, James W. Queen & Co.,
Philadelphia, PA, 1891, p. 45-46
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1892,
The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1891, ads
p. 70 (ROC ad)
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for
1892, The Scovill &
Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1891, ads p. 103
(Cummins Photostock Co. ad)
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for
1893, The Scovill &
Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1892, ads p. 103
(Cummins Photostock Co. ad, p. 107)
The International Annual of Anthony's
Photographic Bulletin Vol. VII 1895,E.
& H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), 1894, ads p.
74 (Cummins Photostock Co. ad)
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for
1896, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY),
1895, ads p. 104 (Cummins Photostock Co. ad)
Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co.
(Rochester, NY), May 1897, p. 4-5
The International Annual of Anthony's
Photographic Bulletin, Vol X, 1897, E. &
H. T. Anthony & Co., (New York, NY), 1897, ads p. 23 (in a logo for
Cummins Photo Stock Co., not advertised for sale)
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