Storehouse Studio

The Gundlach Korona Royal 1903 – c.1912

“The camera itself we can devise no means of improving, in point of design, construction, adjustments or finish.”

Gundlach Manhattan (Korona) Catalogue, 1903

Some time after the merger of Gundlach (lensmaker) and Manhattan Camera (of New Jersey) in 1902, the line of Gundlach cameras was upgraded. The largest in the range, the #VI Long Focus and the Special (as in Economy) were produced as the Royal as a limited run of premium quality enhanced examples - the better lenses were offered with it and the quality of fit and finish upgraded. 'Buffalo Grain' black leather exterior, mahogany frame, long bellows and nickel plated knobs,rails and stays.

korona royal front sm.jpg

The camera was designed to be a multipurpose unit for professional use. It could be used as a conventional drop front lightweight field camera. But with the rear extended, it became a large scale, long focus studio 'stand' camera with full adjustments. It came in three sizes - this one is a 5x7" and comes with a set of original double dark slides. Whole plate (8 1/2" x 6 1/2") and 8"x10" versions were available at much higher cost.

Korona Royal

Cost with a basic lens was almost $90 at the time and given that the average male city worker earned around $25-30 per month, it was a seriously expensive outfit. Think AU$15-20,000 in today's outlay, the price you'd pay for a full pro-grade digital outfit. Fitting an imported Zeiss lens added almost 35% to that cost. Given that this model was only a cosmetic improvement to the cheaper standard VI and that the better lenses could be fitted to that camera on request, this seems to have been a vanity model for the cashed up buyer and is much rarer than the lesser model.

korona royal side* sm.jpg

This example is in exceptional condition. Remarkable for a 'professional' camera. It hardly shows any signs of use at all and would be quite useable now - the bellows are clean and look new, the lens is clean and the shutter good. It was a glass cabinet display item for the previous owner. The lens and shutter unit is not a Gundlach option - an unbranded Rapid Anastigmat in a Conley shutter not listed by them - the original owner probably bought the camera body only, a typical option, and fitted his own lens/shutter preference.

Australian dollars - $2,850. USD$2000. Plus postage and insurance - quote on request. Packed in solid wooden case (non-genuine) with dark slides.