Camera - Graflex Series B
Production date
1907-1927
See full details
Object detail
Description
Single lens reflex Graflex Series B camera fitted with Graflex Filmpack Adaptor. Camera comes in worn leather travelling case with Folmer and Schwing mark on lid, underneath leather handle. Two stickers on the front - one for Sydney rail, another for an Osaka steamship. On the back of the case is a sticker for Pan American Grace Airways. The case is line with corded velvet.
Classification
PHOTOGRAPHY Cameras Still single lens reflex
Production date
1907-1927
Measurements
Case: L241 x W198 x H212 mm
Camera: L190 x W175 x H195
Camera: L190 x W175 x H195
Media/Materials description
Wood, glass, paper, leather, metal.
Signature/Marks
GRAFLEX-SERIES B \ CURTAIN APERTURE
EASTMAN KODAK CO. \ FOLMER & SCHWING DEPT. \ 21567 ROCHESTER, N.Y., U.S.A
GRAFLEX FILM PACK ADAPTOR
EASTMAN KODAK CO. ROCHESTER N.Y., U.S.A
MADE BY EASTMAN KODAK CO. ROCHESTER N.Y., U.S.A.
KODAK ANASTIGMANT F-4.5 6 3/8 4X5 \ NO.32510
GRAFLEX \ PATENTED \ DEC. 16, '02 \ JUNE 21. '04 \ FEB. 5. '07 \ APR '21. '08 \ AUG. 31. '09
THE FOLMER GRAFLEX \ CORPORATION
HUDDART, PARKER LINE. \ PASSENGER'S LUGGAGE \ SYDNE \
OSAKA \ NAME M. \ STEAMER " \ STATE ROOM No.
PAN AMERICAN \ GRACE \ GRACE AIRWAYS
EASTMAN KODAK CO. \ FOLMER & SCHWING DEPT. \ 21567 ROCHESTER, N.Y., U.S.A
GRAFLEX FILM PACK ADAPTOR
EASTMAN KODAK CO. ROCHESTER N.Y., U.S.A
MADE BY EASTMAN KODAK CO. ROCHESTER N.Y., U.S.A.
KODAK ANASTIGMANT F-4.5 6 3/8 4X5 \ NO.32510
GRAFLEX \ PATENTED \ DEC. 16, '02 \ JUNE 21. '04 \ FEB. 5. '07 \ APR '21. '08 \ AUG. 31. '09
THE FOLMER GRAFLEX \ CORPORATION
HUDDART, PARKER LINE. \ PASSENGER'S LUGGAGE \ SYDNE \
OSAKA \ NAME M. \ STEAMER " \ STATE ROOM No.
PAN AMERICAN \ GRACE \ GRACE AIRWAYS
History and use
Staff of the Commonwealth Prickly Pear Board used this Graflex single-lens reflex camera in their research to document prickly pear insects potentially useful for the eradication of the plant in Australia.
Members of the Prickly Pear Board travelled all over North, South and Central America - wherever the prickly pear grew - and sent back the most effective specimens to the central receiving and quarantining station in Sherwood, Brisbane.
This well worn Folmer and Schwing camera carry case has stickers from ocean liners, trains and, most interestingly, Pan-American Grace Airways (Panagra) - an airline founded in 1929 that flew from the United States to South America. While the most effective specimen, Cactoblastis Cactorum had been discovered in 1925, this camera may have been taken to South America to conduct follow up research, or inspect alternatives. Additionally, the Graflex Series B model marks read ‘Eastman Kodak Co’ indicating that the camera was made between 1907 and 1927, so it was most likely in use in the height of the Prickly Pear Board’s research activities.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Members of the Prickly Pear Board travelled all over North, South and Central America - wherever the prickly pear grew - and sent back the most effective specimens to the central receiving and quarantining station in Sherwood, Brisbane.
This well worn Folmer and Schwing camera carry case has stickers from ocean liners, trains and, most interestingly, Pan-American Grace Airways (Panagra) - an airline founded in 1929 that flew from the United States to South America. While the most effective specimen, Cactoblastis Cactorum had been discovered in 1925, this camera may have been taken to South America to conduct follow up research, or inspect alternatives. Additionally, the Graflex Series B model marks read ‘Eastman Kodak Co’ indicating that the camera was made between 1907 and 1927, so it was most likely in use in the height of the Prickly Pear Board’s research activities.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Registration number
H14743