Eureka - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Eureka

1888

W.W. Rouch & Co.

London

England

Image of Eureka

Lens:
f7, 5", Instantaneous Doublet, by Rouch, Waterhouse stops. Marked 5 x 4. Serial no. 7012 .

Shutter:
Roller-blind, T & I settings, not self-capping.

Construction:
Unusual finish of dark stained mahogany and rosewood with machined brass fittings. Dovetail joints.

Format:
12, 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" plates held in integral bag type changing box.

Focusing:
Sliding box movement focus to 4 feet scaled to 5 feet.

Attributes:
Two reflecting view-finders.

Notes:
Address on lens: W. W. Rouch & Co. 180 Strand. London. (1863 - c.1894).

With:
12 plate holders.; Waterhouse stops in pouch marked: 1, 2, 3, 4.; Lens cap.

Eureka

Model of 1889

W.W. Rouch & Co.

London

England

Image of Eureka

Shutter:
Roller-blind, T & I settings, not self-capping.

Construction:
Polished mahogany with brass binding. Dovetail joints.

Format:
12, 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" plates held in removable bag type, changing box.

Focusing:
Sliding box movement.

Attributes:
Single reflecting view-finder.

With:
12 plate holders.

Eureka

Model of 1890

W.W. Rouch & Co.

London

England

Image of Eureka

Lens:
f8, c.7 ¾", '4 x 5', Instantaneous Doublet, by Rouch, Waterhouse stops. Serial no. 7407 .

Shutter:
Roller-blind, T & I settings, not self-capping.

Construction:
Polished mahogany with brass binding. Dovetail joints.

Format:
12, 4" x 5" plates held in integral bag type, changing box.

Focusing:
Sliding box movement scaled to 10 feet.

Attributes:
Two reflecting view-finders.

Notes:
Address on lens: W. W. Rouch & Co. 180 Strand. London. (1863 - c.1894).
This model has brass binding which was an optional extra. The lens is recessed into the body of the camera which makes the Waterhouse stops difficult to use.

With:
12 plate holders.; One Waterhouse stop, f11.; Leather case.

The Eureka was one of the most popular detective cameras and remained on sale for several years.

A number of variations were produced but the camera remained essentially a large box camera with focusing adjustment by sliding the two halves of the camera apart. Most models are finished in polished mahogany a few have stitched hide covering and others black stained finish. Brass binding was an optional extra.

The Eureka was introduced in 1888 and was available in 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" or 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" sizes. Originally the backs were integral to the camera, the following year they were optionally removable.

By 1890 a 5" x 4" size had been added. Prices were: 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" £5.17.6; 3 ¼" x 4 ¼" £6.12.6; 5" x 4" £8.10.0. The cost of making the back removable was an extra 10/-. Extra backs were from £2.0.0 depending on size. Included in the price was an Instantaneous Doublet lens with Waterhouse stops, lens cap and shutter winding key.

By 1893 the 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" was no longer advertised. Around 1894 Rouch moved from 180 to 161 Strand. By 1896 the camera had been improved by the replacement of the shutter by a T-P T&I shutter with adjustable speeds. The lens now had an iris diaphragm and an exposure counter had been added to the box. A half-plate size priced at £12.12.0 was added to the range in 1896. The reflecting finder was probably replaced by a brilliant at this time. In 1897 a stereo model taking 6 ¾" x 3 ¼" or 6 ½" x 4 ¼" plates was advertised and priced at £12.12.0. The BJA of 1892 also mentions a stereo so possibly some had been made earlier. In 1902 a focal-plane model was added with a top speed of 1/1000, produced in the quarter-plate, 5" x4" and half-plate sizes.

Judging by the cameras still extant most were produced prior to 1896.

References & Notes:
BP 6613/1887. BP 4145/1888. BJA 1888, p. 2.; BJA 1890, p. 2.; BJA 1892, pp. 3, 1162.; BJA 1903, p. 3.; BJA 1907, p. 3.; BJA 1912, p. 2.; PA 1891 p. 728.; Photographic News 1896, p. 209.; BJP 19/6/1896, p. 395.

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