Antique Folmer & Schwing Wood Camera Bellows Extension tripod accessories 1891 & For Sale

I\'ve ALWAYS wanted an antique camera. So, when I came across this at an estate, I was so excited. I absolutely fell in love with it. I\'ve never been able to purchase a camera this old and to have the case and accessories is EXTREMELY RARE. This camera itself, from my understanding, is also rare. And, I wish I could say I knew a lot about it, but I do not. I wasn\'t able to get a lot of history. But from what little bit of research I did, and came across, I added this information at the end of the description.This came in the old, very worn, used case. The leather type straps that were used to keep the top of the case shut and closed have worn and torn off and are not long enough to do so now. And, again, just lots of wear to the case. Including what looks to be an old, white paint splatter, drip that has dried on the back of the case. But, all the accessories and camera still fit in and I assume it\'s the original case. 12 photos taken and uploaded. I hope someone more knowledgeable than I will know more about it by looking at all 12 photos. I also hope the photos will speak for the condition and description. This even had the wood tripod with the brass metal pieces with it when I purchased. I did notice a small piece on the top of the camera had come off. I found a piece inside the case that looks like it\'s suppose to go there. Some of the pictures should show this. There are 2 heavy duty lenses with it. They were not secured to the camera when I purchased. They both have \'UNICUM\' imprinted in the metal. I also noticed at the bottom of one, in fine, small imprinting, \'Bausch & Lomb Opt. Co. Pat. Jan. 6, 91\' (1891). Imprinted on the wood on one of the pieces that attaches to the camera is \'FOLMER & SCHWING DIVISION. EASTMAN KODAK CO. Rochester, N.Y.\" The bellow, where it pulls out, looks to be in good condition. I did not pull it all the way out. But, from what I did see, it looks intact and I do NOT see any holes, tears or defects in it. The glass plate on the back looks to be in good condition. I do not see any chips, nicks or cracks in it. Measuring the glass part only without the wood that is framing it, it measures 7 inches across and 5 inches top to bottom. The last picture is the bottom of the camera. I think it\'s the bottom. Could it be the top? I cannot upload more than 12 photos. But, I took the tripod picture off so I could add a picture of the bottom?. There\'s light reflection off the wood from the lighting, flash from the camera, showing the smudgy places as well. I haven\'t tried to clean, selling as I purchased. But, on the bottom, you will see the darker dovetail, jointed wood. This is another RARE item that I am sure I probably will never come across again. So, I will enjoy the history and character of it while I can. Hopefully, it can go to someone else that can do the same. The wood pieces are suppose to attach and I am sure someone else will know how to put it all together. But this is for the camera and all the accessories you see in the photos that will be enclosed in the case. And, the tripod that also came with it. I am selling as I purchased. So, please look at all the pictures. The case with the camera, accessories enclosed and the tripod, the scale shows all this weighing over 12 pounds.9 pounds and 14.4 ounces for the camera, accessories in case and the tripod weighing 2 pounds and 2.4 ounces. I did notice imprinted on the inside of the tripod in the brass metal pieces, \"FOLMER & SCHWING DIV. CROWN TRIPOD NO. 1.\" And, the Patent Date looks to be June, 1903. Again, please look at all 12 photos. It is for all you see. Please use the zoom-in option that should be available over them. I hope this will speak for the condition and description. Thanks for your interest and looking :) \"Folmer & Schwing was incorporated in 1887, specializing in professional cameras rather than amateur cameras.They were purchased by the Eastman Kodak Co. in 1907, after which their cameras were marked “Folmer & Schwing Div., EKC”, and finally, in 1917, “Folmer & Schwing Dept., EKC”.

In the first decades of the 20thcentury, an ever-increasing number of companies, corporations, school groups and societies wanted photographs of gatherings or employees.Specialized cameras likeFolmer & Schwing’sBanquet View Camerawere designed to capture such photographs, which tended to be much wider than tall (hence the sizes 7x17” or 12x20”).The camera also has relatively large front rise and an extra bellows to provide a large front tilt downwards to better focus on the whole group.Such a camera was useless except to a professional photographer, so these cameras are rarer than the amateur cameras of the era.Such a camera was expected to be well used, if not used up, and Folmer & Schwing made a substantial, solid, heavy-duty, well made camera designed to hold up to professional abuse.\"