Graflex.org

Confused · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Indianapolis

A little backstory.... My father died 6 years ago, when i was in high school. He was a bit of a packrat, but usually the things he collected WERE actually valuable (verses hoarding). Anyways, I am in my second year of law school and funds are drying up quickly, so I decided to finally go through the 20+ boxes of stuff that we packed up 6 years ago and haven't looked at since.

Among these items (prewar Lionel trains, WW2 militaria, etc) is a Press Graflex camera. It appears to be complete, in a wooden crate with some black fake-leather wrapping and brass looking hardware. It also has a dozen or so boxes of film. Everything looks really good to my untrained eyes, but then again, I don't even know how to open the darn thing. I was wondering if anyone around here could give me some info on the camera, and how to tell if it is complete/operational (do people still use them? does operational matter?)

I am ultimately planning on selling it, colt revolvers are the only thing I collect, but I like to know what I have before I let something go.

1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

hey Confused

thats what we all are some times "Confused"
with out being able to see what you have it hard to help much!
so if I was you I would go & look here on this site to see what you can find
you can go to {{ http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/graphic-models.html }]
to start with
hope that can help

banjo

45PSS · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:42 pm Post subject:

According to http://graflex.org/graflex-products-list.html the only Press Graflex was made from 1907 to 1923 in 5x7 format only. The camera body of that era is XXX Moroccan Leather and if the case is of the same era and a Graflex case it too will be XXX Moroccan leather.

All Graflex cameras operate nearly the same so look at the http://graflex.org/RBGraflex/ online manual for operating info. Measure the back opening with film holder removed or the ground glass of the back, the ground glass of a view hood may be misleading as it will be near square.

Post pictures of the camera, image hosting site linked to this one, or the camera serial number-Graflex>normally ink stamped on the view hood door behind the top view hood attach bar; early models may have the serial number stamped into the lip of the view hood opening and a very few had it stamped in the lens opening or on the lens door. Graphic press camera>ink stamped on the bottom side of the camera top, with bed open, front standard fully retracted into the body, turn camera upside down and look at the bottom side of the top with a flashlight. A few cameras may have the serial number stamped elsewhere inside the body or no visible serial number at all. Early serial numbers are 5 digits and later ones 6, no letters.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Confused · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Indianapolis

Sorry about the long delay. I'm in law school and once the semester gets going I have a hard time keeping up. I figured out how to open it (thanks for the link!) and snapped some pictures, which I am going to find someplace to host. In the mean time, I found what i ASSUME is a serial number: 21,110. What can you tell me about that while i get the pictures up?

Confused · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Indianapolis

They're up!

45PSS · Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject:

The serial number is from before accurate date information was kept. From previous post of date info from knowledgeable members this camera is from around 1910.

The covering, including the view hood, is XXX Moroccan leather. The gray finish on the metal is a thin layer of silver plated to brass. Trying to polish it with any metal polish will remove the silver.

The Graflex instruction manual linked at the Reflex Help heading will cover the operation of the controls. The table on the short section of the view hood door is the shutter speeds.

Store the camera with the curtain closed past O and the tension set to 1.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

45PSS · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject:

Additional:

Being you are planning on selling the camera be sure to include pictures of the lens. List the focal length (usually stated in inches of this vintage) and maximum/minimum aperture.

The camera and case appear in excellent condition. Use the online instruction manual to test if the shutter operates. An operational camera should bring more than a dried out display only one. All looks to be original also.

5x7 film is still available as is 11x14 which can be cut down without much waste.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

willysmb · Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Posts: 128 Location: France _ Europe

Dear confused,
Do you give me your agree for use the pic with the leather box for complete my web page ?: http://www.speedgraphic.fr/Press.html

Regards,

PS: Your cmera is a very nice Press Graflex sample.

Confused · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Indianapolis

45PSS, I will snap some photos of the lens sometime this weekend.

Willysmb, Please feel free to use the photos! I can also give you the larger, unshrunk ones if you want them.

Confused · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Indianapolis

Okay so hopefully this is the information needed from the lens: it says:

5x8 Bauch and lomb Tessar series 1C Pat. pat. feb 24 1903 3129588

Pictures is below

45PSS · Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 4:52 am Post subject:

http://cameraeccentric.com/html/info/bauschlomb_10.html
says the lens sold for $72 in 1910, very well corrected, good for color work. Definitely OEM/ period correct for the camera. Clean the glass carefully to enhance the listing.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Confused · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Posts: 6 Location: Indianapolis

Excellent information, thank you. Is it kosher to ask for direction on finding out the value?

45PSS · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:49 am Post subject:

McKeown's; ebay completed listings........?
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

willysmb · Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Posts: 128 Location: France _ Europe

Many thanks to confused for his agree.
The page was updated with your photo.

Press Graflex 5x7

You can find on the page the cotation from collectiblend.com

So, note that the average value is calculate from the sales of famous place.(Photographica World, Photographica Auctionen, WestLicht Auction, LP Foto Auction, Tamarkin Auction, Christies Auction)

Not sure that this cotation is the real market reflect.

Last point, if you scroll down this page, Camera Restoration you can see the restoration work on one Press Graflex from my collection :

Cheers

Laurent