American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Online

Victor Street Camera made by the Benson Dry Plate & Camera Co., New York. Plaques identifying the camera and manufacturer attached to front. Size 11 x 10 x 7 in. Ca 1920s. Tintypes tucked on each side of camera. With 16 1/2 x 11 9 1/4 in. wooden case and hand-painted signs, which read "Your Picture in one Minute" or "Pictures Made in One Minute," approx. 5 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. or smaller (possibly made later). Two loose tintypes, assorted paper sleeves, and other ephemera also enclosed. Designed for outdoor commercial photography, the Victor Street Camera was a self contained machine to develop tin-type photos on location. It was very popular with street photographers.

Seroco View 5 x 7 folding plate camera made by Sears Roebuck & Co. Plaque on front identifying as "Seroco View" camera. With bellows (some wear to wooden body, bellows overall good). Size 13 x 11 x 9 in. Ca early 20th century. With 23 x 15 x 7 in. case containing plate holders, tripod, and Amateur Photographer's Manual issued by the Seneca Camera Mfg. Co.

No 3B Folding Hawk-Eye, Model I camera made by the Blair Camera Co. Plaques identifying the camera and manufacturer attached to front. Horizontal format folding rollfilm camera with red bellows (surface wear to leather, bellows very good). Size 10 x 7 x 5 in. Ca 1906-1907.

Unmarked camera with wood trim, size approx. 14 x 11 x 4 1/2 in. Lens marked "Rapid Symmetrical Retigmat." It has been suggested that this camera was used for school photographs, but this cannot be confirmed. Ca early 20th century.

Together, 4 cameras, all likely American, ca early 20th century.