Katanning Historical Society > Records

Century Company Camera

Century Camera Company
c. 1907
Subcollections
Domestic Items or Equipment
Overview

A black embossed leather wooden case which holds a bellows camera with a leather strap as a handle at the top of the camera. When the camera box is opened the whole side folds down and the bellows slide along a brass plate and can be locked into place by a brass winder underneath the lens. On the left hand side of the lens and bellows assembly is a screw which can be used to raise or lower the whole assembly. On the right hand side of the lens and bellows assembly is the viewfinder which is exposed when the brass cover is lifted up, this viewfinder can also flip to the side. At the back of the box are two metal levers which are used to open the back and retrieve the glass plate. The metal lever to the right of the lens is clicked to take the photograph.

Historical information

The letters T, B, and I represent the three exposure modes used to control the camera's shutter mechanism:
T(Time): The shutter opens when you press the button/lever once, and stays open until you press it a second time.
B (Bulb): The shutter stays open only for as long as you hold down the button/lever and closes immediately when you let go. The term originates from old pneumatic shutters that were triggered by squeezing a rubber air bulb.
I (Instantaneous): The shutter opens and closes automatically at a single, pre-set fast speed, this is the standard setting used for taking normal, everyday photos in daylight.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-202-HS2014.28
Item type
Domestic Objects
Material
Metal
Wood
Width
22 cm
Height or length
16.5000 cm
Depth
16.5000 cm
Inscriptions and markings

Below the lens and bellows assembly is a white rectangular plate with the word "Century" in black enamel lettering. On the right hand side of the lens and bellows assembly is a white enamel plate with markings in feet"

Engraved on the brass surround above the lens is "PAT.JULY.23.1907", above this engraving is a small black circular plate with the letters "CCC" engraved on the plate in white.

On the right hand side of the lens on the brass surround is engraved "T B I". There is a silver metal lever which can be moved between these letters.

Below the brass surround lens is engraved "WOLLENSAK OPT. CO", "ROCHESTER.N.Y.U.S.A"

On the brass covering of the viewfinder on the right hand side of the assembly is engraved inside a circle in three sections "CENTURY CAMERA", "CENTURY", "ROCHESTER N.Y.".

Place made
Rochester, New York, United States
Year
c. 1907
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Last modified
Wednesday, 26 August, 2026
Completeness
100
Rights category
Date of creation +70 years
Permissions

Please contact the Katanning Historical Society for reproduction of image.

Attribution requirements

Courtesy of Katanning Historical Society.

Related Objects

Related Objects

Sibling records
Century Company Camera Case
Katanning Historical Society

Katanning Historical Society

Front view of Century Company Camera
Front view of Century Company Camera
Side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Side view of half extension of Century Company Camera
Side view of half extension of Century Company Camera
Left side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Left side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Left side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Left side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Top left side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Top left side view of full extension of Century Company Camera
Top view of Century Company Camera
Top view of Century Company Camera
Right side view of Century Company Camera
Right side view of Century Company Camera
Back view of Century Company Camera
Back view of Century Company Camera
Photographic plate and back view of opened Century Company Camera
Photographic plate and back view of opened Century Company Camera
Century Company Camera case and Century Company Camera
Century Company Camera case and Century Company Camera
Detail of viewfinder of Century Company Camera
Detail of viewfinder of Century Company Camera
Detail of lens of Century Company Camera
Detail of lens of Century Company Camera

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