MONTAUK DETECTIVE CAMERA
G. Gennert, 54 E. 10th Street, New York 1889 - 1895
From
the Ronald F. Giovannelli Collection
Manufactured by G. Gennert, the Montauk Detective Camera is believed to have been introduced in 1889. Mention was made of Gennert's "4x5
Detective Camera at $25" on display at the Boston Convention and
Exhibition in Wilson's Photographic
Magazine, Volume XXVI, September 11, 1889. As described, the camera was
10" long and 6" square, with three holders, focusing appliances
located on the top and equipped with a Gray W.A. Rapid lens. Other than some slight
differences in dimensions with the camera featured here, this seems to describe
rather accurately the Montauk Detective Camera.
Additionally, the Montauk Detective is the only detective-style camera
known to have been manufactured by Gennert during this period.
The Montauk Detective also appears in 1890 in the American Amateur Photographer,
along with reviews for various other hand cameras. The publication describes it
as being covered in black Turkish morocco leather, although Gennert's
advertisement later that year lists it as having genuine black seal leather. Another
1892 advertisement called them "the best Detective Cameras", and the name
Montauk Detective is how it's generally known today.
The Montauk Detective's most distinctive feature is its
focusing scale located at the top. This scale
was similar to those found on Anthony's Climax and P.D.Q. Detective
cameras. The Montauk's shutter was
cycled by winding the knob on the face to cock it, then selecting one of two
tabs on the front top for either a Time or Instantaneous exposure. Another unique feature, not found on any
other detective camera to my knowledge, is a variable speed shutter control.
Once the shutter is cocked, the operator can then apply pressure to a wire
spring lever protruding at the bottom front.
As greater pressure is applied, the tension on the shutter's spring increases,
resulting in a faster speed when the shutter is released. The Montauk name doesn't appear on the
camera, but "G. Gennert, Manufacturer, New York" is found, stamped on
the side door's interior along with the serial number.
Available in 4x5 and 5x7, the camera measures
10-1/2" x 7-1/8" x 6-1/8" and could be used with a roll
holder. The camera came standard with a
rotary shutter, a Montauk Rapid Rectilinear Double Lens and three
"XTRALITE" holders for $25. Compared to Blair's Hawk-Eye Detective of
the time, it shared many of the same features, but weighed slightly less at two
pounds. The Hawk-Eye Detective in its
base uncovered form, was actually cheaper than the Montauk. But by the time you added leather and an
upgraded Rapid Detective Lens, the Hawk-Eye's price rose to $30.
The Montauk Camera,
as it was by then being called, seems to make its last appearance in G.
Gennert's January 1, 1895 catalogue. Production
lasted maybe six or seven years, as no advertisements have been found beyond 1895. It's estimated that only a handful survive....maybe
one in the back corner of some museum, a few that have come up for auction that
we didn't know of, or possibly a few in private collections. This example was acquired in the early
1980's, and we haven't seen another one since.
Bottom of camera showing shutter
speed tensioning lever
From Scovill's
The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times for 1892