G. Gennert, Rochester, New York, NY
The Outing View Camera
Descriptive Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus
and Supplies,
G. Gennert
(New York, NY), c. 1893, p. 31 The usual arched Gennert logo, stamped into the rear
face of the platform/bed frame: "G. Gennert Manufacturer New
York". The camera also has, in the large sized number stamp
typical of Gennert cameras, the assembly number "1" stamped on the
inside top of the ground glass frame, and also on the inside of the lens
board (not illustrated) Date Introduced: - ;
Years Manufactured: c.1893
- c.1901 This camera is
present in the 1893 and 1901 catalogs, but not present in Gennert
Catalog 1903. This model is same general design
as the Scovill Waterbury,
Anthony
NPA, and
Rochester New Model.
The advertising states that it is made of "fine mahogany and cherry",
thereby confirming my long time guess at what woods are generally used
in this era cameras. The finish is a beautifully executed French
polish, which sets is above the Waterbury
and New Model with which it
competed. Judging from the extreme rarity of this camera in the
present day (this is the only one I have seen), it must not have
competed well. By about 1903, Gennert had given up trying to
compete with its own manufactured cameras, and rather purchased view
cameras for resale from either Seneca Camera Mfg. Co. or
Gundlach-Manhattan Opt. Co. (depending on the year and specific model
resold). Gennert did not try to disguise its resale cameras,
referring to them in its catalogs by the same name the manufacturers
used (e.g., Seneca View Camera, Montauk View Camera).
The Outing Camera (1893) includes "an
extra lens board, carrying case, and plate holder with rubber slides".
The Outing Equipment (1901) includes an "Outing Camera,
nicely polished, a XTRALITE Double Dry Plate Holder, with hard
rubber slides, Single Achromatic Lens fitted with a Connon Time
and Instantaneous Patent Pneumatic Diaphragm Shutter, Folding Tripod and
Carrying Case". References:
6.5 x 8.5"
Construction: rear focus
via push-pull, single swing, reversible by two tripod mounts
Materials: mahogany body, cherry base,
brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 4x5, 5x7
(1901), 5x8, 6 ½x8 ½
Notes:
Descriptive Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus
and Supplies, G. Gennert
(New York, NY), c. 1893, p. 23 (camera; Outing
Equipment p. 31)
Descriptive Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus and Supplies, G.
Gennert (New York, NY), dated Jan. 1, 1895, pp.41-42
Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus and Supplies, G.
Gennert (New York, NY), 1901,
p. 59
