Seneca Folding Plate Camera, 1907-1923

01

Artifact Overview

Folding cameras were designed to be portable and rugged. The lens sits at the end of a collapsible bellows system, often adjustable to provide better focus. The back of this camera held glass plates for exposure; some models contained cartridges with multiple plates. Once user-friendly roll film cameras were perfected around 1900, plate cameras began to wane.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Folding camera

Date Made

1907-1923

Creator Notes

Camera manufactured by Seneca Camera Company, lens supplied by Wollensak Optical Company.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2003.0.22.32

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Copper-nickel alloy
Glass (Material)
Iron alloy
Leather
Paper (Fiber product)
Plastic
Wood (Plant Material)

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 9.0 in
Width: 3.75 in
Length: 8.75 in

Inscriptions

plaque: MADE BY SENECA CAMERA MFG. CO., ROCHESTER, N.Y. U.S.A. lens: WOLLENSAK OPT. CO. ROCHESTER, N.Y. U.S.A. [lens]
Seneca Folding Plate Camera, 1907-1923