THE TELESCOPIC GRAPHIC - LATE VERSION

Folmer & Schwing Manufacturing Company, New York 1899-1904

Later version of Folmer & Schwing's Telescopic Graphic.

This camera differs from the Telescopic Graphic's earlier version, as Folmer & Schwing's identification is seen on the Graphic Automatic Shutter's aperture scale and on the brass lens board retainer. This later version also has a sliding lens cover, with two view finders at opposing corners versus two view finders placed side-by-side, an external-type dual-valve automatic shutter with pneumatic release versus a shutter built into the front panel, and the inside being finished in lacquered mahogany versus black enamel.

Available at various points in its manufacture in 4x5 and 5x7, the 4x5 was reportedly marketed as the Telescopic Graphic Junior due to the smaller format. It should also be pointed out that both early and later versions of the camera have been seen with side-by-side view finders, and that the advertised depth of camera has been seen at 7-1/2" and 8-1/2". As positioned in the picture above, this example's dimensions are 7" in height, 5-3/8" in width and 8-1/8" in depth.

Based on the Rauber & Wollensak "Graphic" Automatic shutter it's equipped with, and assuming the shutter to be original to the camera, this Telescopic Graphic 4x5 would date no earlier than 1901 when this shutter is believed to have been introduced by Rauber & Wollensak.

Rauber & Wollensak Automatic Shutter, badged "Graphic" and "Folmer & Schwing Mfg, Co, N.Y."

By late 1901/early1902, the company's name was changed to Wollensak Optical, with Rauber's name having been dropped either due to his departure from the company or to his death. The Telescopic Graphic continued to appear in Folmer & Schwing's catalogues through at least 1904, by which time it was only being offered in 5x7. An example of this later version of the camera, has also been seen with the fourth and last model of the Victor Shutter. This would date that example to 1899-1901 as well, assuming the shutter to be original to the camera.

Fourth and last model of Bausch & Lomb's Victor Shutter

Over the past twenty years, I've only come across a few examples of this later version of the Telescopic Graphic. Of the camera's earlier version, I've only seen one example, which is also featured on this website.

Ad for the later version of the Telescopic Graphic

From The American Amateur Photographer, Volume XIII, No, 4, April,1901 Source: HathiTrust Digital Library