Yard sale "Century" need an ID

[lenser]

Got very lucky at a yard sale and found a "Century" style 8x10 studio camera for only $50.00, but I've not been able to identify the brand. My other actual Century has a small rectangular name plate below the lens and all brass control knobs.

This one has a circular label with a brass rim in the same location. The label's about one inch across total, but all traces of type are worn away. The almost perfect wood looks to be mahogany. This one also has most of the knobs in beautifully turned wood and has a red bellows compared to black on my "century".

If anyone can help with the manufacturer, I would appreciate it. If anyone can further help with a back, especially 8x10, I would be even more appreciative.

Thanks.

Tim

[jp]

Cool find; Post some pix!

The back system uses wooden frames to adapt different backs to the camera. Someone with very basic woodworking skills could fashion an adaptor to put a different 8x10 (or smaller) back on, such as B&J or deardorff or whatever working back you find on Ebay.

[lenser]

Pix tomorrow night.

My other Century (if this one actually is a variety of the Century), has a 5x7 back system, so I'm well aware of how they look and are used. I'm just hoping to find an original 8x10 to keep it authentic.

What I've got now is the basic camera frame without lens board (no biggie) or any of the back parts. What's there is darned nice, just need the ID and hopefully actual parts instead of remanufacturing them.

[BarryS]

Does the brass label plate look like this?

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/9493/centurynameplate.jpg

Your "Century" may be a Century. :)

[lenser]

Yes and no, Barry. As stated, no print is left, but the disc and rim look identical.

However, the brass hinge that shows in your photo, does not exist on mine.

Thanks for the input.

[BarryS]

Tim-- I wouldn't expect your camera to have the hinge--the photograph is of a Century #2 field camera (a predecessor to the 2D). However, I wouldn't be surprised if the studio cameras during the same time were also labeled with similar name plates.

[lenser]

Barry, I really appreciate the info. I think you've got me on the right track. Now for a little research on models and manufacturing dates.

[jp]

http://jason.philbrook.us/gallery3/var/resizes/2010/album212/DSC_0024.jpg
http://jason.philbrook.us/gallery3/var/albums/2010/album212/DSC1492_0.jpg

My century #1 had a round badge at one time as you can see by the fading in the wood and the three holes.