Antique Rochester Optical Premo Camera for Europe. USA Circa 1900

Antique Rochester Optical Premo camera for Europe. USA circa 1900 This antique Rochester Optical Premo camera for the European market, manufactured in the United States circa 1900, is a delightful example of North American photographic production from the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, with careful construction and an aesthetic presence that immediately draws attention. It is a fantique ing plate model with 12×9 cm plate hantique er, conceived for itinerant photographers and demanding amateurs of its time, and which stands out for its combination of varnished fine wood, garnet leather bellows, and metal fittings with an elegant and functional finish. On a structural level, it maintains that mixture of lightness and solidity that characterized Premo cameras of the period, made for traveling but without sacrificing quality. The main body preserves almost entirely its casing covered in black leather, with slight signs of use appropriate to its more than one hundred years of life. The front opening system unfantique s a finely finished wooden base, on which the metal guide that regulates the advance of the front standard extends. On this standard is mounted the Bausch & Lomb Unicum shutter, highly appreciated in its time for its reliability and for offering a range of speeds suitable for gelatin-bromide plate work. The shutter responds correctly, although it has not been timed. The lens, integrated into the assembly, keeps glass in good general condition, clean and without haze. The bellows, original and of garnet leather, is in excellent condition: flexible and without light leaks. In the rear area, the fantique ing window of the ground glass has been restored with new leather, mounted with great care to faithfully reproduce the original functionality of the assembly. The restoration visually integrates with the camera and guarantees practical use without compromising authenticity. The top handle is also a later replacement, installed to recover the typical portability of the model; although not original, its presence is functional and aesthetically adequate. The 12×9 cm plate hantique er accompanies the camera and fits perfectly into the rear part. The ground glass is presented clean and protected by its fantique ing hood, indispensable for composing the image outdoors. The metal fittings maintain their mechanical integrity, with side fasteners that ensure firm and stable attachment. The set shows a very balanced appearance, with a patina that combines historical use with the dignity of a well cared for piece and ready to be displayed. Its classic aesthetics, with the mixture of warm wood, black leather, and silver metal, makes it a very pleasant piece to look at and fully representative of the photography of its time. Because of its strong presence, correct functioning, and visual appeal, this camera is an excellent option both for collectors and for lovers of the history of photography. Its design, as evocative as it is technical, would allow it to be displayed with style in a showcase or bookshelf, where it would contribute a singular charm that enriches any space. Its combination of original elements, discreet restoration, and mechanical integrity make this Premo a particularly suggestive piece with the capacity to appreciate in value over time. Three motivating phrases clearly encourage acquiring it: it is a specimen that combines beauty, functionality, and authenticity. It is increasingly difficult to find export Premo cameras at this level of preservation. And it represents a magnificent opportunity to add to any collection a historical and fully displayable piece. Measurements: 16.5 × 13.8 cm (6.50 × 5.43 in). History of Rochester Optical The company Rochester Optical Company was founded in 1883 in Rochester, New York, a city that would soon become one of the great world centers of the photographic industry. The firm initially competed in a market dominated by small workshops and independent manufacturers, but its ability to produce cameras of quality at competitive prices allowed it to consolidate rapidly. The Premo line was one of its most recognized series, characterized by light, fantique ing, and well designed models that enjoyed enormous popularity both in the United States and in international markets. The company stood out for its collaboration with optics and shutter manufacturers such as Bausch & Lomb, so many of its models mounted lenses and mechanisms that would later become standard in the industry. In 1899 Rochester Optical merged with other companies to form the Rochester Optical and Camera Company, a process that marked a stage of expansion and modernization. Finally, in 1903 the firm would be absorbed by Eastman Kodak Company, which consolidated the integration of the Premo cameras within Kodak’s catalog. During these transitional years, Premo models continued to be manufactured with very remarkable quality and were widely distributed in Europe, especially those equipped with Unicum shutters and specific configurations for the European plate format. The trajectory of Rochester Optical is fundamental to understanding the evolution of the fantique ing plate camera and its transition toward more compact systems, becoming a historical reference for collectors and scholars of photographic technique.