Since I just bought a Century Universal (don't even have it yet), I've done some searching. And that's about it...

This camera was technically made by the Century camera company, but by then (1924 or so) it was already owned, and apparently sold, by Kodak, as was Graflex. And Graflex manufactured the Century Universal as stated right on the camera. Apparently when Folmer Graflex seperated from Kodak in 1925, they also took the Century Division with them. So this camera is technically a true graflex camera. And yet there seems to be little info available about it?

This brings up a few questions...

First, anyone know where I could obtain any more info on the Universal? The only info I have ever found is the review on largeformat.info. A great article & photos, but not much about the company and manufacturing.

And, what about all those other cameras manufactured by Graflex? Has anyone ever compiled a list? Kodak bought a lot of companies and it looks like Graflex (or Folmer Graflex) manufactured a lot of them. It would be interesting to know just how many cameras Graflex made and under what names...

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-26 20:26 ]</font>

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On 2003-11-12 00:04, 45PSS wrote: <a href=http://www.fiberq.com/cam/>Here's a Start</a>

Yes, I've been there many times. What a great selection and photos! And I suppose it shows a good reason why it's so hard to have a 'complete' list of cameras. There were so many... But what a great coffee table book it would make to show _every_ American made camera! Although I wonder if it could be a single book?

RB enlarging
Crown ERC camera
Universal View
Century Studio cameras
Penny Picture
Century Lantern Slide camera
2d View (kodak)
clinical view cameras

are some of the ones I can find. there are miltiary cameras as well.

The buildings were known as the Folmer-Century Works. I don't expect to see their names on material before '26 as they were all part of Ekc.

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On 2003-11-12 10:31, Gandolf wrote: RB enlarging Crown ERC camera Universal View Century Studio cameras Penny Picture Century Lantern Slide camera 2d View (kodak) clinical view cameras are some of the ones I can find. there are miltiary cameras as well. The buildings were known as the Folmer-Century Works. I don't expect to see their names on material before '26 as they were all part of Ekc.

Thanks!

I've seen or heard of most of those, but not all. There seems to be quite a bit more to Graflex than most people know. So a book of all American cameras may be more than to hope for, or to put in a single volumn. But how about a book of all Graflex cameras? There are so many not covered by "Graphic Graflex Photography" and "The All-American Cameras a Review of Graflex" by Paine. How about a book of "Other Graflex Cameras"?

Now about that "Century Lantern Slide camera"? I'll have to start looking for one of those!

Wouldn't the spawn of mssrs Folmer & Schwing also be considered relatives of the Graflex? that would add Cirkuts, Banquets, and Skyscrapers to the family album! Imagine what Thanksgiving Day Supper would be like at the Graflex house---

The GVIs and GVIIs are taking thier time setting up for the meal

All Big Bertha wants to do is watch football

K-20, fresh out of mothballs, nudges Speed and quips "get a load of Cousin Crown's tripod legs" Anny shoots K-20 a disapproving look

Grandpa Cirkut and Grandma Banquet contently sit back and try to take in all they see

Skyscraper is called in to clean the mashed potatos off the ceiling

Fingerprint relentlessly grills the children to discover who threw the mashed potatos on the ceiing

Check Sequence frets about who is going to pay for the feast

Pacemaker Crown worries about the batteries in his, well...Pacemaker

PreAnny reminices about the Great Depression

SuperSpeed won't let anyone forget he used to work for NASA

lol, I've got too much time on my hands!

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On 2003-11-15 08:57, Springback wrote: Wouldn't the spawn of mssrs Folmer & Schwing also be considered relatives of the Graflex? that would add Cirkuts, Banquets, and Skyscrapers to the family album! Imagine what Thanksgiving Day Supper would be like at the Graflex house--- The GVIs and GVIIs are taking thier time setting up for the meal All Big Bertha wants to do is watch football K-20, fresh out of mothballs, nudges Speed and quips "get a load of Cousin Crown's tripod legs" Anny shoots K-20 a disapproving look Grandpa Cirkut and Grandma Banquet contently sit back and try to take in all they see Skyscraper is called in to clean the mashed potatos off the ceiling Fingerprint relentlessly grills the children to discover who threw the mashed potatos on the ceiing Check Sequence frets about who is going to pay for the feast Pacemaker Crown worries about the batteries in his, well...Pacemaker PreAnny reminices about the Great Depression SuperSpeed won't let anyone forget he used to work for NASA lol, I've got too much time on my hands!

And Photorecord hides, ignored, in a corner.

Ahh, but who would be sitting at the head of the table overseeing all this? A Crown View perhaps?