Vintage glass plate camera

[fishnfowl]

Help please. I have a vintage camera I want to sell..on Ebay?... I got it from an estate the original owner died in 1924 but was an amateur photographer as early as the 1880's. I can't figure out how to open the camera and don't want to damage it trying to. Have original case with box of glass plates and holder. Can someone help me out here? Have photo image of camera and case but can't upload???

[TPF Sponsor]

[unpopular]

You need to post the photo to a place like flickr or photobucket.

If the camera has a leather finish, look for a hidden button under the leather, usually on top directly in the middle above where the camera is supposed to open up. You may need to apply a good amount of pressure using your middle and index fingers. I am very sure that there is some kind of latch, so don't force it.

[fishnfowl]

Thanks! Got it open And posted on photobucket. It is Century Junior , WOLLEN SAK OPT. CO. Looks minty but rubber tube and blub are dried out. Pictures by fishnfowl1447 - Photobucket
















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Pictures by fishnfowl1447 - Photobucket

[unpopular]

Can you get the back end to fix parallel to the lens?

[diser]

Company name is a "Century Camera Company". Wollensak is a lens manufacturer.

[fishnfowl]

Yes. I can take another picture of it opened properly. If you'd like. Does this camera have any value?

[unpopular]

Maybe if were a Deardorff it would be worth something

But, it's not. You could prob get $150, maybe $300 for it at the most if it is a 4x5. If it's 2 3/4x 3 3/4 it's almost worthless.

When researching make sure to look at completed listings. There is a lot of wishful thinking with these old-format cameras. Collectors tend to like using them, and if the film cannot be found or film holders can't be adapted, then they're not very desirable.

You have a box of plates, what size are they?

[dxqcanada]

Do you have the shutter release tube and bulb ?

Century Grand Junior Camera at Historic Camera's History Librarium

[unpopular]

^^ unfortunately, he said it was damaged. the good news is that it's a 4x5 or maybe 5x7.

[fishnfowl]

Maybe if were a Deardorff it would be worth something

But, it's not. You could prob get $150, maybe $300 for it at the most if it is a 4x5. If it's 2 3/4x 3 3/4 it's almost worthless.

When researching make sure to look at completed listings. There is a lot of wishful thinking with these old-format cameras. Collectors tend to like using them, and if the film cannot be found or film holders can't be adapted, then they're not very desirable.

You have a box of plates, what size are they?

Plates are 4" X 5" and there are 4 in the box separated by tissues. Figured I would list on E Bay.

[unpopular]

YOU OPENED THE PLATES?!!! Now the whole thing is worth like 5 cents!



lol. jk.

[fishnfowl]

Sry Not sure what the 'plates' are there was an opened box in holding case with 4 pieces of glass separated with tissues. I assumed those were the 'plates'. There is also a framed black 'thingie'. Is that the plate? Honey I know nothing about cameras! Bear with me please

[Proteus617]

The plates are the "film", the frame thing is the plate holder. Load a plate in the holder, slide it into the slot in the back of the camera, remove the darkslide and take a photo. At least that's the way it did work. I'ts a pretty little camera, but not of much interest to the modern plate camera user. No idea of the value, but I wouldn't be surprised if you got $50 to $100 for it. Someone will buy it to display on a shelf with that cool little cardboard box that contains the vintage plates.

[unpopular]

no. it was a joke. I was insinuating that you exposed the plates to light and that now they are no good, but I am very sure they're no good anyway, and nobody would expect them to be unexposed or badly fogged. it's a photog joke

[fishnfowl]

Dang you made me feel like a Blonde joke. :-)