This is only a preview. The auction will open on: 12/29/2024 3:00:00 PM
4x5 Speed Graphic Pacemaker "45" Complete Camera Set: The photographs which won the first 11 Pulitzer Prizes, 1942-1953, were all shot with a 4x5 Speed Graphic (a.k.a. Press Camera). One was the 1945 "Flag Raising on Iwo Jima", by Joe Rosenthal. His Speed Graphic is in the Eastman House Museum, in Rochester, NY. The large monumnet in Washington DC, was designed exactly from Rosenthal's great image. The Speed Graphic is called the most famous Press Camera ever produced, made from 1912-1973. In many ways, the Speed Graphic was America's first and last great camera. Every serious collector should have one. This lot also contains a 16x20 matted gatefold illustration from the January 1948 Esquire Magazine, by famous artist Fritz Willis pictureing a young lady showing off her 4x5 Speed Graphic Press Camera, and 2 theater lobby cards showing the Speed Graphic. When displaying the camera with this kind of history, pieces like these can be show stoppers. Now that the history of this great camera is out of the way, here are the many features of this "Newspaperman's Classic Camera". Everything works great and has been fully tested. First things first, the serial number is #885552. The lens is a s 127mm f 4.7 Ektar. Both front and rear elements are free of scratches, dust, haze, fog and fungus. The bellows have no pinholes, and are soft and supple. For close-ups, they move to double extension, easily. They are original O.E.M. This is the only large format camera with 3 viewfinders. 1. The optical tubular viewfinder is clean and clear with parallax adjustments. 2. The peep sight and the open frame sportsfinder work fine. 3. The ground glass viewfinder is free of cracks and scratches, and is accompanied by its removable viewing hood. Also, this is the only large format camera with 2 shutters. 1. The front shutter is a Graphic Supermatic mounted on a removable metal lens board and tilts and rises for controlling focus with a mounted solenoid. 2. The back shutter is a focal plane curtain shutter. It winds and fires well on all speeds, the fastest is 1/1000. The curtain is in perfect condition. There are 3 Graflite Synchronizers with 5"x7" reflectors. (all the Graflites need 3 batteries). All the sync cords work and fit properly. The Pacemaker Model Speed Graphic has a special drop bed, allowing the use of wide angle lenses. In that position the bed will not block any part of the composition. The Graflox spring back can be moved easily so you can lock on the film pack adapter and/or Polaroid 4x5 film holder. It's flawless. Also in this lot are (4) 4x5 cut film holders and a lens shade. There are 2 manuals. First is the 44 page Speed Graphic Instruction and Reference Manual, and the second is the 16 page Graflite Instruction Manual, which explains all the unique features of the Graflite Synchronizers. It's fun to reminisce about all the workings of this wonderful memorable camera and its accessories. With that being said here are 21 vintage flashbulbs in 5 different sizes, with adapters to fire all. They will complete the look when you want to display it. They are (1)#11, (2)#22 & 22B, (6)#AG-1 &AG-B, (6)#M-2 &M2-2B, (6)#5 & 5B. Everything in this lot fits nicely in the gray Vulcanoid hard case, designed especially for the 4x5 Speed Graphic. Length 19.5", width 9.5", height 11.5". It pains me to say that there is only one thing wrong with this almost perfect camera. The front bed/door does not stay closed because the inside latch is missing. Thank you for reading all of this. You must be a true lover of photography and its history.