Rochester Optical Co.
Date Introduced: ~1902 ; Years Manufactured: c. 1902-c. 1915; 1923-1925 (11×14 only)
Construction: front and rear focus via two gear tracks on top of base rails; double swing from a center pivot; rising front via thumbscrews on the right side of the front standard; reversing by removable back; base rigidity via a thumbscrew and two rods; spring back
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5×7 (illustrated above), 6.5×8.5, 8×10, 11×14, 14×17
Notes: This camera is identical in every aspect to the Empire State, Improved, except for one item: the label reads simply EMPIRE STATE. After a period of being called the Empire State, Improved, in ~1923, an Empire State was again offered, but only in 11×14 format. The leather case for the above camera is period, but not of ROC issue.
References:
Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Co. Catalog, 1902, p. 42
Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Co., c. 1905, p. 37
Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Division, Eastman Kodak Co., 1908, p. 36
Photographic Cameras, Supplies and Lenses, Williams, Brown & Earle, Inc. (Philadelphia, PA) Catalog, c. 1908, p. 31
Lloyd’s Photographic Supplies, Andrew J. Lloyd Co. (Boston, MA) Catalog, c. 1909, p. 28 (no engraving, but sizes listed)
Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Division, Eastman Kodak Co., 1910, p. 29
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)
Photographic Digest Vol. 1 No. 3, March 1911 (as the Northwestern View Outfit No. 2)
Illustrated Catalogue Graflex, Kodaks, Premos, Centurys and Hawkeye Cameras, The Gloeckner & Newby Co. (New York, NY), c. 1911, p. 14
Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Division, Eastman Kodak Co., 1912, p. 31
Premo Cameras, Rochester Optical Division, Eastman Kodak Co., 1913, p. 31
Eastman Professional Photographic Apparatus and Materials, c. 1915, p. 43 (R.O. Division)
