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Cameras/Pony premo no. 2

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Expert: - 11/27/2006


Question
Hi when cleaning out some old things i came across an old folding camera. It comes in a large black case thats about 11 inches by 7 inches. There are two compartments in the case and the camera sits perfectly in one of them. The camera itself is   6 inches by 6 inches and says pony premo no.2 on it. The black case is a little rough and so is the outside of the camera but everything that unfolds is in very good shape. There is nothing else in the black case besides the camera. I was wondering if you could estimate the value of this. Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi,

The Pony Premo No. 2 is a typical example of what we call an American folding plate camera.  This was a very popular style introduced in the early 1890's and remained a major part of the camera market into the 1920's.  Your camera was made by the Rochester Optical Company sometime between 1898 and 1905.  From the measurements you provided, it's for 4 x 5 inch exposures on glass plate negatives.  The other compartment in the case would have held several glass plate holders for the camera.  This is a very common model, but American folding plate cameras are still popular among collectors, so it retains some value.  A truly excellent example would sell for around $150.  A typical example with well worn (but complete!) exterior leather, maybe $100-$125.  There are a lot of these floating around with deteriorating leather, but still beautiful interiors, that can be bought for $50 or less.  If you want to display this camera, never leave it in direct sunlight, and never leave it with the bellows (the collpasible accordian section) pulled all the way out.  Sunlight will damage the wood and the soft leather of the bellows over time, and the strain of full extension can weaken the internal connective fabric of the bellows.  Have fun!

Best wishes,

David Silver

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David 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:

http://www.photographyhistory.com


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