Modified 4x5 Tele-Photo Poco A Plate Camera- Interesting and Beautiful For Sale

This is a very interesting camera. It could be a prototype, but more likely is a nicely modified Poco plate camera. The name plate identifies it as a Tele-Photo Poco A camera, size 4x5, by the Rochester Camera and Supply Co. The frame, drop bed, front standard, viewfinder, front brass hardware and bellows seem to be that of a normal Poco, but some of the camera is certainly not a standard Poco. The Tele-Photo Pocos that I have seen have all been leather covered, and this one is not. In fact this camera has a very nice looking finish on the bare wood. It doesn\'t look like it ever had leather on it. The back is even more different than a standard Poco. Gone is the leather covered door in front of a ground glass. In its place is a wooden back with both swing and tilt. Lastly, the lens is a more modern Tessar in a shutter with a full range of speeds.Now for the condition of the camera. As you can see, it is a handsome unit and looks much like a tropical camera. It shows some wear, but still looks very nice. The bellows is in good shape as is the front standard and most of the brass hardware. There is one area of damage on the very front of the drop bed. The female end of the bed latch on both sides has been damaged (see photo) and only one brass latch part remains. That one brass works well in holding the bed closed, however, and it is probably better to have only one since there are no \"buttons\" to press to unlock the bed when closed since there is no leather to hold them in place. You need to carry a nail or other such thin object to open the camera when closed, but it opens and closes easily and securely if you do. The back apparatus is in good shape, but it needs to be more tightly secured to the body of the camera. There is a screw that needs tightening that should do the job, but I don\'t have a tool that can reach it. If you want to use the camera, the screw will need to be tightened, but if this turns out to be a shelf camera, that would not be necessary. The lens is usable, but seems to have an interior coating problem, but the shutter works well. Sorry for the long description, but there is a lot going on here and I think you should know about it. Payment by Paypal, shipping $15, US only.