I've done pretty well getting my Crown Graphic up and running and I really like the look of those black and chrome ones, but I'm really confused by this auction on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140285566055&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=004

What does this have to do with cameras? Is it some sort of old flash unit?

You are obviously missing the point, which is the relationship of the company which made early Graflex cameras and its other products.

No, this item had no photographic use that I know of.

Like the auction says, Folmer & Schwing started out making gas lamps (and later bicycles) which is how they ventured into the world of cameras.

This is a really rare item, I think I've seen only 4 go by on ebay in ten years and since these were cheaply made, most were not in this great a condition.


How well they worked when new and how well they work now is pretty much a mystery. Those paper discs are even harder to come by and I don't know anybody willing to try to make it work. So it's pretty much of a shelf queen but a pretty royal queen indeed.

The closest this has to do with a flash might be to light some flash powder or (since the Crown flash lamp uses alchohol) light it first. But in the broad scope, it's no more a flash unit than a zippo or a bic lighter.