ROC Empire State View Camera Variation 3

Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, NY

Empire State View Camera Variation 3

Below, Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Co. Catalog, 1903, p. 27 (note the little thumbscrew on the side of the front standard for rise adjustment, the minor variation noted below)

Below, Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Co. Catalog, 1905, p. 37 (note that rise adjustment has moved to behind the front standard, the minor variation to that above)

5 x 7

6 ½x8 ½"
This camera was originally thought to be only good for parts - the bellows tend to stick together when folded), and must have come in a lot with some other camera for which the lot was purchased.
Upon closer inspection years later, I decided it was not in that bad a shape, and is complete, so here it is, with an added plate holder that fits it.

Bottom

Top

Label, celluloid, lower front standard

Stamp, serial or assembly no. "175", inside back edge of the main platform (matching a number on the matching edge of the rear extension)
A different serial number, "772", is stamped on the inside surface of the removeable back.
Note the solid brass piece inlet into the platform, which automatically prevents the rear standard from being cranked back unless the rear extension is installed.

ROC Plate Holder (profile includes an added strip at the dark slide end (right end below), and a rabbet at the other end.

Other side of plate holder.

Date Introduced: ~1902 ; Years Manufactured: c. 1902-1913; 1915 - c.1926
Construction: front and rear focus via two gear tracks on top of base rails; double swing from a center pivot; rising front via thumbscrews on the right side of the front standard; reversing by removable back; base rigidity via a thumbscrew and two rods; spring back
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5x7 (illustrated above), 6 ½x8 ½, 8x10, 11x14, 14x17
Notes: This camera is identical in every aspect to the Empire State, Improved, except for one item: the label reads simply EMPIRE STATE. Minor Variation: between 1903 and 1905 (see engravings above) the method of rising front changed from an internal screw mechanism to a behind the front standard mechanism. The camera was offered in Premo Camera catalogs as below through 1913. The 1914 Premo Cameras catalog introduced the Eastman View No. 1 as the replacement and improvement to the Empire State. No Empire State of any kind was offered in the 1914 Premo Cameras catalog. The extinction was short lived. The 1915 Premo Cameras stated: "For those who want larger size view cameras [the Eastman Views No. 1 and 2 only being offered up through 8x10], we will furnish the regular Empire State model in the 11x14 size...". Presumably, this 11x14 only Empire State looked like the above with crooked rear standard tilt hardware, rather than the later Eastman View 11x14, which has straight, Century Camera Co.-like rear standard tilt hardware. By 1927, the Empire State 11x14 only was no longer offered and the said Eastman View 11x14 only was.

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