Graflex.org

photosteve · Joined: 18 Feb 2002 Posts: 3 Location: north east

Does any one know about this camera,one of my custmers gave it to me, and I was wondering what its value was?

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I can't speak about values, but the fact that its 3x4 certainly hurts since it's difficult and expensive to get film for it.
McKeown's guide to Cameras is certainly your best bet, but find it at a library or bookstore as the newest editon tops $100

I know this will sound strange but who made it?

The company we call Graflex went through several different names sometimes a year or so apart. anything in the pre 1907 era is certainly scarce.

A serial number might help too

photosteve · Joined: 18 Feb 2002 Posts: 3 Location: north east

the seral is #8912 the plate has folmer & schwing mfg co and it has a 6 in lens made by r j beck,does it have any historic value?

45PSS · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2002 5:12 am Post subject:

reference
a review of Graflex by
Richard P. Paine

AUTO GRAFLEX
"Accordion Hood" with front hinge, 1906-1910
Folding hood with front hinge, 1911-1915
Folding hood with rear hinge, 1916-1923

The Auto Graflex incorporated the fixed, horziontal graflex, new
focal plane (improved) shutter, and rack and pinion focusing.
Early samples, before 1911, had a button shutter release and the
"accordion hood" with a mirrored image of the ground glass viewed
through a peephole in the hood.
The Auto Graflex remained the basic camera of the line until 1923
when it was replaced by the Series B.

............. ............ 3 1/4 X 3 1/4...... 4 X 5...... 5 X 7

lens board ............. 2 3/4 x 2 3/4...... 3 x 3...... 4 x4
.......................... (1919: 2 7/8 x 2 7/8
........................................ (1918: 3 1/4 x 3 1/4

focal capacity........ 7" ...... 8 1/2" ...... 12"

1906 prices........
body only....... $75 ...... $85...... $100

w/B&L Zeiss Unar.... (#4)$113.50...... (#5)$127...... (#6)163
ser. Ib f4.5
w/B&L Zeiss Tessar ....(#4)$108.50...... (#5)$125...... (#6)159.50
ser IIb f6.3
w/B&L Zeiss VIIa.... (#4)$133 ...... (#7)$153 ...... (#10)$182
f 6.3
w/B&L Plastigmat.... (#1)$109 ...... (#2)$125 ...... (#4)$155
f6.8
w/Cooke Ser III.... (#4)$110.55 ...... (#5)$128.65 ...... (#6)$147.70
f6.5
w/Goerz Ser III..... (#1)$115.50 ...... (#2)$131.35 ...... (#3)$156.25
f6.8
w/Goerz Type B.... (#1)$117.30 ...... (#2)$134 ...... (#3)$160.30
f4.8

hope this helps some,
Charles

_________________
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a photograph is worth a million.

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2002-02-18 21:30 ]

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

the Folmer & Schwing Mfg of New York existed until 1905, the Folmer &Schwing Mfg co of Rochester New York existed or appears of have existed from 1905 to 1907. Cameras from this company have the greatest value as they are rare.
From 1907 to 1917/18 they became the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak Company

Paine claims this camera was made from '06-'10. Judging from other dated cameras your serial number certainly puts this in the earlier part of that range.

_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

photosteve · Joined: 18 Feb 2002 Posts: 3 Location: north east

Thank you charles for you reply, I hope this photo helps in some way, this camera has the shutter release button on the left side.
I was told the speed plate was not from the factory, but was added later? is this true.

45PSS · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2002 7:47 pm Post subject:

The previous post was from the "Auto Graflex" page. In his history of the company he agrees with Les mostly, saying that the merger with Kodak accured in 1905 but full conversion wasn't until later. Kodak took over accesories and darkroom equipement leaving Folmer & Schwing division free to concerate on cameras only. From the way his book reads the 1906 "Auto" was first produced in late 1905 and given the 1906 model year. There was an "Auto Junior" for 1906 only that had no bellows, Cooke Anastigmat f6.5 with front element focusing.

Charles

P.S.
(The ...........due to fact that I don't know how to paste a table that retains its spaces.)

Serial numbers of the ones pictured in his book are 4X5 #10962; 3 1/4X4 1/4 #14200; 3 1/4X4 1/4 #41380 1919-1920.
_________________
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a photograph is worth a million.

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2002-02-19 11:53 ]