Studio Camera Mystery

[cyrus]

In researching 10 Century Studio cameras, I came across a mystery:

Both of these cameras have the same serial number: 14789

Ebay Item no. 250055788133

Camera advertised for sale on NonStarvingArtists.com

I think the serial numbers for the stands also match.

The author of the second article tells me that the camera is still available for sale, and his article states that his camera was used in Iowa.

The seller of the first camera told me he got it back in 1995 from a Canadian photographer.

Did Folmer duplicate their serial numbers?

[Ralph Barker]

My guess would be the numbers are the model or stock number, not a serial number, as they appear to be part of the original plates, rather than individually stamped later.

[Bart Nadeau_6607]

I believe that number is just the part number of the particular plate. The s/n is usually stamped in the wood on the rear standard. sometimes it is hard to find, but it is there.

[Doug Kerr]

Those are indeed the part numbers of the nameplates involved.

Best regards,

Doug

[cyrus]

Thanks. That makes sense. So all of these have the same numbers on that plate?

[Doug Kerr]

Thanks. That makes sense. So all of these have the same numbers on that plate?

If the plates have the same text, then probably.

However, the same model can have different plates depending on the exact circumstances of its manufacture, such as whether it was produced by the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak, the Folmer & Schwing Department of Eastman Kodak, the Folmer Graflex Corporation, etc. (The 10A in particular, however, may have been only made by Folmer Graflex.)

Best regards,

Doug