Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Folding Hawk-Eye Cameras, c.1892
The Blair Camera Company. Boston, MA.
Visit the Folding Blair Hawk-Eye Reference page
Return to the Self-Casing Cameras page
Copyright ©2001 - 2026 by Rob Niederman - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Folding Hawk-Eye No.2
Folding Hawk-Eye No.1
The Folding Hawk-Eye No.1 has a focusing scale with two sets of measures. The front scale is used for plates while the rear scale is for roll film. Two scales are required because glass plates are thicker than roll film, thereby having a different focal plane.
The Blair Camera Company introduced the 5 x 7" Folding Hawk-Eye No.1 and No.2 in 1892; probably in response to George Eastman's 1890 No.4 Folding Kodak and Scovill & Adams' 1891 Henry Clay Camera.
These early self-casing cameras were pioneering designs that paved the way for inexpensive folding cameras of the 1890s. The 5 x 7" Folding Hawk-Eyes were large cameras with ebony finished wood, brass hardware, and front standard mounted reflex finders. As with the Kodak and Henry Clay, Folding Hawk-Eyes used glass plates and roll film.
The No.1 Folding Hawk-Eye may also represent one of the first self-casing cameras to incorporate a concealed shutter. A wire tensioning device cocks the single speed shutter while a lever on the shutter face adjusts the aperture (three settings).
The No.1 shown here is missing most of its outer body leather, but the interior wood and bellows are nearly perfect. Normally, apparatus in this condition is not included in the collection, however the 5 x 7" Folding Hawk-Eye is historically interesting and very rare. Even in less-than-ideal condition, this particular example has the aura of a "working" camera and was acquired with its original ground glass frame, plateholders and bits of darkroom equipment. Years ago, I sold the camera to a collector who wanted to restore it.
The No.2 Folding Hawk-eye is basically the same camera as the No.1, having an ebonized wood interior and brass hardware, but with a more traditional front standard and external B&L brass shutter.
This example has a morocco leather covered body with embossing that is characteristic of many Blair cameras.