Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY

 

Katchette (1892)/Katch (1893 & ff.) Camera

 

1894 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), 1894, p. 15

 

 

 

 

Date Introduced: 1892 - not in the May 1891 catalog ; Years Manufactured: c. 1893-1894 - not in the May 1895 catalog
Construction: pop-out, then front focusing lens
Materials: cherry wood throughout,
Sizes Offered: 3 ½x4 ½, 4x5, 4 ½x6 ½, 5x7
Notes: Uses special holders which are the same as for the Rochester Optical Co. Midget Pocket Camera.  The Katch was a short-lived rip-off of a type of camera popular in Europe.  The original inspiration is probably the Shew Eclipse, shown below.

References:
1892 Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), 1892, p. 16
1893 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), 1893, p. 17
1894 Catalogue of Photographic Apparatus, Rochester Optical Co. (Rochester, NY), 1894, p. 15
 

 

 

Shew Eclipse, 3 ½ x 4 ½

 

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