Antique Rocherster Model Long Focus Premo Camera. New York, Circa 1900

Rare bellows camera made by the Rochester Optical Company in New York between 1895 and 1904. This is a Long Focus Premo camera, a very attractive piece with double bellows. It possesses an extra long bellows, adapting it for the use of long focus lenses as well as the style usually furnished. The camera is in good condition; it mounts a shutter release and works fine, thought it has not been tested with film.The mahogany wooden frame looks great and the same can be said about the brass metalwork, as well as of the black-leather-covered case and the red bellows. The cameras front side bears a complex rack and pinion focus system around the objective, composed of delicate brass pieces that provide a precise and fine manipulation. Under the objective there is a brass plate with the engraved models name: LONG FOCUS PREMO. On the wooden base, on one side we can see a small wooden bubble level designed to tell the user whether the camera is level or not. Attached to the front side there is another brass plate with the manufacturing companys name, ROCHESTER OPTICAL CO. ROCHESTER N.Y This rare and antique Rochester Premo Long Focus camera is a real collectors piece that will stand out in any collection of photo-related antiques. Measurements (Unfolded): Width: 17.3 in / 44 cm. Height: 6.2 in / 16 cm.History of the Rochester Optical Company In 1883 the Rochester Optical Company was founded by W. F. Carlton when he took over the assets of camera maker William H. Walker. In 1893 the company introduced one of the most successful camera product lines in early American history, the "Premo" camera. The Premo Line stayed in production until 1921. Later they produced also Poco cameras, which were similar to his brothers successful Premo line. Due to hard times and competition from Eastman, in 1899 five camera companies decided to join forces to form the new Rochester Optical and Camera Company. In 1903 George Eastman purchased the Rochester Optical and Camera Company and changed its name back to the Rochester Optical Company.