Focal Plane Eureka

1902

W.W. Rouch & Co.

London

England

Lens:

f6.8, 6" Rouch Rapid Rectilinear, iris diaphragm to f32.

Shutter:

T-P, T&I roller-blind, speeds 1/12 - 1/70. Serial no. 46725A.

T-P Focal-plane, speeds 1/30 - 1/1000, T. Speed varied by adjusting slit and tension, not self-capping. Serial no. 40646G.

Construction:

Polished mahogany. Dovetail joints.

Format:

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

Focusing:

Sliding box movement to 5 feet.

Attributes:

Two brilliant view-finders, automatic frame counter on box.

Notes:

Address on lens: W. W. Rouch. 161 Strand. London. (c. 1894 - 1919).

With:

Lens cap. 3 plate holders.

The Eureka appeared in 1888. A number of improvements and versions were introduced the last being the Focal Plane model introduced in 1902.

By the turn of the century the design of this detective camera was dated and not many could have been sold. The price was £13.13.0. The front roller-blind shutter must have been operated by a bulb.

Screw holes in this example show that the handle has been moved to the other side of the camera. This may indicate that the camera was originally made as an ordinary model and altered when a Focal Plane model was ordered.

Rouch continued for many years as retailers and later as photographers, camera production ceased with the Eureka.

References & Notes:

BP 4081/1893 (F-P Shutter). BP 18631/1901 (Speed calculator). BJA 1903, p. 3. BJA 1907, p. 3.

Company Details:

Rouch

Early Photography