AboutDavid Silver Expertise I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
Question Hello, I have found an antique camera in my late uncle's house and I was hoping you could tell me something about it. It all comes in a large leather case, very dry from age, that holds the camera in a pocket to one side, and three wooden frame pieces that appear to fit into the camera and a box of "Hammer Dry Plates 4 x 5" in a pocket to the other side. The camera is beautiful with cherry wood and a deep red pleated flexible extension inside and black leather covering outside. There is a tag that says "Premo B" and a large metal mechanical device around the lens that says "Victor". Although the case looks so bad, the camera looks like new! The leather still feels fresh and the inside is immaculate! Is this rare or valuable? Thank you. Rebecca
Answer Hello Rebecca,
The Premo B, made by the Rochester Optical Company from 1895 to 1901, is a classic example of an "American folding plate" camera of the 1890's. "Victor" is the name of the shutter on the camera, you can see its elaborate brass construction, and it most likely surrounds some sort of rapid rectilinear lens. The camera is "self casing", in other words it is a collapsible bellows (the pleated flexible extension part, often referred to as an "accordian" for its obvious similarity) camera that is mounted inside a fancy leather covered box that serves as its own protective shell. This is not a "box" camera (a frequent misconception), but a variety of "folding" camera. This style was common in America during the 1890's, and would evolve during the early part of the 20th century into the press cameras that were used for decades. They are still quite common today, since zillions were made back then (and Rochester was one of the biggest sellers), but they remain VERY popular among certain camera collectors. Your example is probably a 4 x 5 inch format. In truly excellent overall condition its fair market value would be between $150 and $200.
