Graflex.org

petegenmarshall · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: London, England

Can anyone help date my Anniversary Speed Graphic?
Serial no. is 862533 (possibly 662533)

Optar lens is 471842

Thanks

Pete

45PSS · Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 7:47 pm Post subject:

862XXX serial numbers are assigned to early 1950's Pacemaker Graphics, I have no record for a 662XXX serial number.
362XXX is assigned to Anniversary Speed 4x5 in 1945.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

petegenmarshall · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: London, England

Thanks for that, I'll have to get a torch out & see if I've misread the serial!

I appreciate the help.

Pete

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2147 Location: New Jersey

The batch of serial numbers 860723 - 865723 was assigned to Pacemaker, not Anniversary, 4x5 Graphics on 1/10/51. That's January 10, 1951. The next batch, starting 865724, was assigned on 5/17/51. So there's a hint.

Are you sure you have an Anny?

Its hard to be sure from the book, but the last 4x5 Anny was probably 407816 (assigned 11/26/46, a batch of 155 cameras) or (less likely) or 408784 (assigned 1/24/47, a batch of 25 cameras).

pmanzari · Joined: 13 May 2009 Posts: 24 Location: NYC

So what is this book that everyone seems to know about?

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2147 Location: New Jersey

The late Tim Holden of Graflex compiled a list of serial numbers, put it in a notebook. Or in several notebooks. The list is incomplete and not easy to read.

Around the time that Mr. Holden died a scan of the book, possibly incomplete, was posted on a web site. It has since been taken down.

So there really isn't a book, even though a few copies seem to have been downloaded during the short time it was available. Whatever it is, it certainly isn't official.

pmanzari · Joined: 13 May 2009 Posts: 24 Location: NYC

I see. It's like the ancient, lost DaVinci codex.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2147 Location: New Jersey

Not at all. Nonfiction.

petegenmarshall · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: London, England

On further investigation (I took a flash photo of the serial number!) it can be seen that it does indeed start with a "3", confirming it's date as 1945.

Thanks very much for the info'.

Now if anyone knows where I can pick up an inexpensive 3 battery flash unit.......

JohnF · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 15 Location: So. California

Try eBay.

I see them there every once in a while. The flash gun is not that hard to get, it's the flash bulbs that will cause you some grief : )
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Simplicity is the essence of brilliance

petegenmarshall · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: London, England

I'll take a look, but they seem to cost as much as the camera! Damn those ******** fans!

petegenmarshall · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 5 Location: London, England

Why did ******** get blocked?

45PSS · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject:

You answered you question without knowing it; damn those _________.
For sa_e gets blocked also.

Graflex flash=movie prop
Graflite flash=more reasonable priced bulb flash.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.