Vest Pocket Seneca Camera

Seneca Camera Company

Name:	Vest Pocket Seneca Camera
Type:	Folding Camera (Rollfilm)
Manufacturer:	Seneca Camera Company
Country of Origin:	US
Construction:	Strut format folding camera that uses 127 rollfilm.
Production Period:	1916 - 1925

 

Plate / Film Size:	127 rollfilm
Lens:	Rapid Rectilinear
Shutter:	Wollensak Deltax No 0
Movements:	None
Dimensions (w x h x l):
Date of this Example:	c1920
Serial Number:	None
Availability:	Common  Uncommon  Hard to Find  Scarce
Inventory Number:	381

 

> ClicPic Photos copyright © 2014 David Purcell. Do not use without permission. Click small picture to enlarge.   ClicPic Gallery Software.

Description

Vest Pocket strut camera made by Seneca, with original box & instructions. The outside of the camera is in good condition but the bellows are damaged on one side and are generally rather fragile as the internal layers are beginning to separate.

McKeown suggests that the camera was fitted with an Anastigmatic lens, but the box states "R.R.". The lens itself carries no markings. McKeown also states that it has a Trio shutter, while this one is marked "Deltax". The latest patent date inside the front door is 1918 - hence the guess at the date. The camera was made from 1916 - 1925 according to McKeown and not all were fitted with the covering door.

Notes

As far as I am aware, Seneca cameras were not imported into Europe.

The name of the company is derived from the Seneca-Iroquois native American tribe. Catalogues and contemporary adverts invariably feature one or more native American Indians, often female (following the trend at the time to feature female subjects in advertising).