Speed Graphic case color

[tjc51]

I have a Speed Graphic camera case(or toolbox), which I would like to paint. But I need to find out the original color. Does anyone know where I can get a close match ? Its in great shape, but in need of painting. Looks to be a shade of green ? The camera is in excellant condition so I'd like to keep it stored in its original case. Thanks--Tom

[Mark Sampson]

Those cases were made out of some early fiber-plastic called 'Vulcanoid'. Perhaps someone here would know the process. Some of the ones I have owned are a dirty green-brown, others are blue-gray. But the color is integral and the cases are not painted, as far as I can tell. Since the early users didn't care about originality, and painted/labeled them as they wished, I'd feel free to paint it as you like.

[tjc51]

thanks for the answer. I know the color isn't to important, but thought I'd try to keep it close. thanks again--tom

[Jim Noel]

I have a black vulcanoid case for a 4x5 Speed. I believe this was the original color before they went to gray.

[tjc51]

Do you know what year the color changed ? I beleive my cAmera is 1950-1951.

[banjo]

I use what we call Electrical Panelboard gray or SQ.D gray
its not a bad mach to what my case color was

[Mark Sampson]

The 'dirty green-brown' color I referred to above was the color of the case that held my first LF camera, a c.1946 pre-Anniversary 3x4 Speed Graphic.

[Robert Hughes]

The 'dirty green-brown' color I referred to above was the color of the case that held my first LF camera, a c.1946 pre-Anniversary 3x4 Speed Graphic.
Everything from that era is painted in army olive drab, it seems. We still see mailboxes in that color.

[Bill Suderman]

I have an old plywood version that was a light brown with darker molded brown synthetic leather corners and brass colored hardware. The inside is covered with purple felt (royalty?). It's a clamshell style case, 3 main compartments with 2 assessories compartments (each divided into 3 sections) in the top. I've taken it all apart and am refitting and gluing it all. When that is finished, I'll cover it with some bright colored fabric so I can see it if someone decides they want it more than me.

[Michael Clark]

My speed graphic case is a light grey and the Burke and James case is also, and made of same material. Must have been pretty popular stuff during that time period.

[tjc51]

Thanks for everyone's replies.The more I look at my case ,it seems to be more of the drab olive green variety.Whichever color I do choose, I'll have to color coordinate the new felt lining:) :)

[Ivan J. Eberle]

Paint it whatever color you wish, but if it were me I'd be painting it a thermally reflecting (and not absorbing) shade. Olive green flat may be even worse than glossy black in this regard.

Heat wasn't quite so much of a consideration back in the day of B+W only, but it soon became an issue with color transparency emulsions. (It was really bad with early Ektachrome. One of Kodachrome's strengths was that being essentially B+W until processed, it was relatively immune to heat related color shifts).