Bellows Camera, 1904

Lovely bellow camera made in the early 20th century in the USA (year 1904). This is an exceptional item, a collectors piece that is also in perfect working order. This camera is a Pony Premo No. 6, manufactured by Eastman Kodak and that has come to us in great condition. The camera comes with four photographic plates original from those days and with the embossed name Premo. This piece is made of shiny silvery metal and the dark red leather bellow. It comes into a black faux leather-covered wooden box.Premo view cameras were invented and produced by Rochester Optical Company, founded in 1883 by W. F. Carlton. The first Premo was made in 1893 and the first folding model was launched in 1897. In 1903 the firm made losses and was taken over by powerful Eastman Kodak, that let the factory continue the Premo camera line. The Pony Premo No. 6 camera was manufactured between 1903 and 1906; it was a higher quality model compared with its predecessors (No. 1 to 4). The main difference is the longer bellow for telephoto work.This particular camera includes a Bausch & Lomb automatic shutter with iris diaphragm. The camera can take photographs at speeds from 1/100 of a second. It has also rack and pinion bellow adjustment and reversible back with easy removable locking feature. Under the objective we can see the cameras name engraved in the metal: PONY PREMO Nº 6. Around the lens rests the companys name, EASTMAN KODAK Co., and the name of the original factory where Premo cameras were still manufactured: ROCHESTER OPTICAL Co. On the other hand, the four plates that come with the camera are framed with solid light mahogany wood and they all bear the embossed inscription THE PREMO CAMERA.This Premo Pony No 6 camera is a very special piece, a historic and beautiful bellow camera that can still take charming photographs.Measurements: Folded camera: 150 x 150 mm. Plates: 150 x 120 mm.