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Cameras/Wollensak double bellows camera

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Expert: - 7/9/2006


Question
David,
My dad came across a wooden Wollensak camera found in his garage attic with a base of 9" wide x 32" long. The front base as well as the glass plate measures 12 1/2"x14". The lens is marked F8 Focus 10 1/2" Tasope Deluxe Rochester NY. Lens cover is of silver in color, on outside marked Wollensak and inside has purple velvet. A small metal plate above the lens reads Tasope Deluxe; camera no 425122. It's hard to make out what is on the bottom of that plate, but part of it does say School of Photo Engraving. There are wires comming out the front that have apparently been broken or worn off but on inside of camera there is a small bulb. Camera has double bellows, rather dirty but are of a cream color. Bellows are not torn at all but show some wear on the corners. Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Brenda

Answer

Hi Brenda,

I apologize for the delay in answering your question.  Wasn't my fault, but it appears the AllExperts system had a rush of activity this weekend and many inquiries were backlogged.  I just received your question a few minutes ago, so without any further delay...

Actually, this isn't a photographic camera at all.  It's a process camera used in lithography, engraving, and other printing applications.  Common as dust (every printing house in the country had at least one, and there were thousands and thousands of printers over a period of 80+ years), impossible to date precisely (most models remained available for sale, totally unchanged, for decades!), of no practical use (it's all done with computers today), and virtually worthless to collectors (a classic example of a "white elephant" that collectors won't touch because of it's ungainly size and mundane nature).

As much as it hurts to say it, you can safely dismantle the monster and throw it away.

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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