Folding Camera with Unusual Gear-Driven Focusing Mechanism, c. 1905
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1905
This German-manufactured folding camera, dating to approximately 1905, is distinguished by its unique and previously undocumented gear-driven focusing mechanism.
The camera features a leather-covered wooden body with nickel-plated fittings and a folding brown bellows supported by struts. It is designed for 9 x 12 cm plates and includes a focusing screen back along with a double plate cassette. Its most notable technical feature is a narrow bed equipped with a lateral gear rack, operated via a large gear wheel situated on the left side. Additionally, an unusual mount is located to the right of the bed, likely intended for a cable release or lens shade holder.
The camera is fitted with an original Meyer Görlitz Anastigmat 7.2/135 mm lens (no. 13979) set in an early Compound shutter, which remains functional and aligns correctly with the infinity stop.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Format
- 9 x 12 cm
- Materials
- wood, leather, nickel-plated metal
Technical characteristics
- Lens
- Meyer Görlitz Anastigmat 7.2/135 mm
- Shutter
- Compound
- Mechanism
- Gear-driven focusing
- Accessories
- focusing screen back, double plate cassette
Design
- Features
- strut support, lateral gear rack, gear wheel focusing, auxiliary mount
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Meyer Görlitz
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.