Posted by Les on March 28, 2001 at 13:10:13:
In Reply to: Re: Information needed on an Auto Graflex around 1900 posted by Chris Forte on March 28, 2001 at 12:24:12:
Jim,
It's not often that this board get queries about what are now call
"New York Graflexes" Meaning these were made between 1897 and 1905.
And yours certainly is just that.
There is a book that may have been reprinted called "A review of
Graflex" by Richard Paine. It may not be what you want as it deals
with all of the Graflexes and Graphic cameras from 1897 to
1973.
Jim's comment about a roll back is misleading. At the turn of the
Century, F&S made two cameras one could only shoot horizontal
photographs, the other, a bit larger allowed the back to rotate so
verticals could be made.
These cameras were made in 4 sizes 4x5, 5x7, 6.5x8.5 and (holy s...!) 8x10. One of the telltale signs of these cameras is that if you look at the chimney it seems to be angled back--the front of the chimney angles quite a bit, while the back of the chimney is almost vertical-- while later cameras the chimney rises symmetrically
Folmer & Schwing was sold to George Eastman in early 1905 and was completely in Rochester by April.
It's not clear exactly what names they went by early on, but by 1907 the commonly known F&S Division of Eastman Kodak, Rochester NY was used.
Records for serial numbers this early no longer exist but from other cameras around this time I would certainly say this camera was made sometime between 1900 and 1902.
The other source of information is to write/email Todd Gustaveson at The George Eastman Museum. He may have a catalog or manual for it. He might need a photo or two.
Good luck. And I for one am jealous. All I got out of my family is a Vest Pocket Kodak. Write me off line if you have more questions, click on my name way up at the begining of this post.
Les