Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical & Camera Co., (Rochester, NY), 1901, ~7"x8 ½", 50pp
The Rochester Optical Co. (W.F. Carlton, president) had a line of field view cameras c. 1896 that included the English-type models Carlton, Universal, and Monitor, the rear focus New Model Variation 3, New Model Improved, and the Standard, and the front focus Ideal Variation 2 and Empire State Variation 2. The rival series of companies: Rochester Camera Mfg. Co, Rochester Camera Co. and Rochester Camera & Supply Co. (H.B. Carlton, president) at the same time offered the English-type model King, the rear focus Favorite Variation 2, and the front focus (later both front and rear) Rochester View Variation 2. This catalog features models from both the above: English-type Carlton, Universal, King and Monitor, rear focus Favorite Variation 3 and New Model Variation 3, and front focus Rochester View Variation 3 and Empire State Variation 2. The companies had merged in 1899, but this is the first catalog to feature cameras from both view camera lines. The cameras were probably still made in the two former factories, and the principals had not decided which of the models, some of which were very similar, were to be discontinued. Note that no leather-covered cameras are included here - they are featured in their own catalog, called The Premo Camera / The Poco Camera.
