Century Camera Co., Rochester, NY
Date Introduced: c.1902 ; Years Manufactured: c.1902–1915
Construction: front and rear focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails); double swing; reversing by removable back; three-piece lensboard
Materials: mahogany wood body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5×7; 6.5×8.5; 8×10; 11×14
Notes: The Century Camera Co. was founded in 1900 – hence the name. George Eastman acquired a controlling interest in the company in 1904, and it became the Century Camera Div., EKC in 1907. From 1907-1915, this camera is referred to as the Century No.1, Century Camera Div., EKC. In the 1915 catalog, the Century No. 1 is replaced by the Eastman View No. 1. Illustrated camera is 8×10 (with non-original wooden case and after-market accessory 5×7 back as well as the original 8×10 back). Made concurrently and very similar to Century View Camera No. 2, which has, among other things, a triple grooved base instead of double grooved, in order to accommodate an auxiliary base.
References:
Century Camera Co. Photographic Apparatus for the Professional, c.1902, p. 13-14
Century Cameras, Century Camera Co. Catalog, 1904, p. 60-62
Century Cameras, Century Camera Co. Catalog, 1905, p. 36
Century Cameras, Century Camera Co. Catalog, 1907, p. 29-30
Century Cameras, Century Camera Div., E.K.C. Catalog, 1908, p. 31-32
Photo Supplies, Sweet, Wallach & Co. (Chicago, IL) Catalog, 1908, p. 55
Photographic Cameras, Supplies and Lenses, Williams, Brown & Earle, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA) Catalog, c. 1908, pp. 28-29
Lloyd’s Photographic Supplies, Andrew J. Lloyd Co. (Boston, MA) Catalog, c. 1909, p. 27
Eastman Kodak Co. Professional Apparatus Catalog, 1909
Eastman Kodak Co. Professional Apparatus Catalog, 1910
Century Cameras 1910, Century Camera Division, Eastman Kodak Co. (Rochester, N.Y.), 1910. pp. 22-23
Rochester Photo Supply Co. (Rochester, NY) Catalog, c. 1910, pp. 9-10 (special offer on Century View No. 1 and Empire State Cameras, as if a close-out)
Photo Materials, George Murphy, Inc. (New York, NY), 1910-1911, p. 46
Photographic Materials and Supplies, Gloeckner & Newby Company (New York, NY), c.1910, p. 10
Eastman Professional Photographic Apparatus and Materials, c. 1915, p. 40
