Camera, Twin Lens Reflex
Object number2021.44.1 a,b
Manufacturer
Franke and Heidecke
Manufacturer
Carl Zeiss
Manufacturer
Tuck Tite Lock and Fastener Company
Date1932
OriginBrunswick, Germany
OriginUnited States of America
OriginGermany
MediumMetal; Leather; Glass; Ink; Adhesive tape
Credit LineGift of Charles Richardson
DescriptionMini Rolleiflex twin lens reflex camera with brown leather case. Body constructed of black textured leather, black metal, and chrome metal. Front has two glass lenses; bottom lens is larger than top. Winding mechanism on proper right side with window revealing number inside.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a,b together): 4.625 × 3.063 × 3.75 in. (11.7 × 7.8 × 9.5 cm)Height x Width x Depth (a - top down): 4.25 × 3 × 3.375 in. (10.8 × 7.6 × 8.6 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (a - top up): 6.25 × 3 × 3.375 in. (15.9 × 7.6 × 8.6 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b - closed): 4.625 × 3.063 × 3.75 in. (11.7 × 7.8 × 9.5 cm)
Length x Width x Depth (b - unfolded): 12.75 × 7.125 × 2.75 in. (32.4 × 18.1 × 7 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Winding mechanism on proper right side has window revealing number “3” inside.
Bottom lens has text around outer metal lens ring “TB 1 2 5 10 25 50 100 300”.
Top hinges upward to reveal chart underneath with printed black numbers including, along top “1:3,5 1:5,6 1:8 1:11”.
(b)
Back has strip of tape at bottom with handwritten number in ink “100”.
Imprinted text inside top of front side “IX 3”.
Marks(a)
Front of camera has maker information at top “D.R.P. Rolleiflex D.R.G.M. / No. 133595 / Franke & Heidecke Braunschweig”.
Top lens has white text around perimeter “Heidoskop-Anastigmat 1:2,8 f=6 cm Nr84378”.
Bottom lens has white text around perimeter “Carl Zeiss Jena Nr 1243231 Tessar 1:3,5 f=6cm”.
Bottom lens has engraved text around sides “argus 28.5 mm ADAPTER RING MADE IN U.S.A.”
(b)
Engraved text on interior side of metal latch tongue “MADE IN / GERMANY / TUCK-TITE / U.S.A. PAT. 1590400 / WORLDS PATS”.
Engraved text on front of latch plate “PATENT / BREVETE” [second word is difficult to decipher].
Historical NotesMini Rolleiflex camera used by Charles Richardson. Charles Richardson, a native of Dallas, Texas, chose to move to Pittsburgh on a whim after reading an article in the Atlantic Monthly on the city’s renaissance. After arriving in April of 1952, he rented a boarding room in Shadyside and found work as a clerk at Westinghouse East Pittsburgh location. With a regular and undemanding schedule, Richardson spent much of his time walking around the city in awe of its industry, geography, and architecture. Despite a lack of training in photography, he purchased a 20-year-old “Baby Rollei” camera and a stock of Kodak 127 Plus X film to take pictures on his walks. He used the boarding house bathroom as a personal darkroom when his roommates were out. He later moved from Pittsburgh with his wife Janet, a native of Oakland, to the south around 1960.
Previous owner
Charles Richardson
Related institution
Westinghouse
On View
Not on view
c. 1910
Conley Camera Company
