Original Power’s Cameragraph Catalog

This original Power’s Cameragraph catalog, published in 1916, is in the collection at the Hoboken Historical Museum.

According to the website’s “Scope and Content” description—as quoted:

“Power’s Cameragraph. Nicholas Power Company, 50 Gold Street, New York. Copyright 1916. Priced catalog of 35mm projectors and stereopticons [lantern slides] with tipped-in revised price list dated February 15, 1918. Booklet, 6-3/4″ x 8-3/4″ high, 52 pp, photo illustrated.”


Click to view full catalog.View the entire Power’s Cameragraph Catalog here.
Click on “MULTIMEDIA LINKS: CLICK HERE to view the PDF” and you’ll see the pages in high resolution. You can also order any page for reference or framing.


The Hoboken Historical Museum further explains:

“This copy belonged to Julius Durstewitz, Director of Hoboken Playgrounds (under the Parks department) for the City of Hoboken in this era. It was apparently used for the purchase of a “Cameragraph No. 6A, Complete Equipment” as shown and described on pages 10-11 where this outfit is marked with pencil (along with the 1918 revised price list is tipped-in.) The original equipment plus elements of its later modification are in the Museum collections as objects catalog 2005.078.1200.

“Apparently kept by Durstewitz with the set which included a lamp with an integral stereopticon (lantern slide projector) and the cameragraph, a 35mm film silent film projector. Stand and accessories are part of this portable outfit. It was used used for many years in Playground Department activities for children including, but not stated, at 109 Jefferson St. Probable date of purchase 1918 and end date probably in the late 1930s and certainly by the mid 1940s when Durstewitz retired.”


attachment pg 10 rotated revised price list Feb. 15 1918

Parts list with prices. View entire catalog here.
Click on “MULTIMEDIA LINKS: CLICK HERE to view the PDF” and you’ll see the pages in high resolution. You can also order any page for reference or framing.


My projector is the Power’s Cameragraph Model 6, produced in 1909, with the portable table as shown on Page 22 of the catalog. This was called a “breadboard” because the walnut slab of wood upon which the project and lamp housing are mounted resembles a kitchen cutting board.

This 1909 Power’s Model 6  was discovered in a chicken coup on a farm by the projectionist’s grandchildren, who told me it was used between 1909 and 1916 as an original itinerant projector. I fully restored the projector and updated it with a high-intensity halogen lamp. It is now reprising its original role as a “portable moving picture machine” which travels with me from venue to venue, entertaining audiences with hand-cranked silent cinema entertainment.

The End

 

4 thoughts on “Original Power’s Cameragraph Catalog”

  1. My grandmother just bought be one of these with the original stand and legs and I have the box part but not anything else where might I find these parts I wanna see if I could ever get it to work.

  2. I have came across three different powers projector manuals. A instruction book, a parts list book, and a Instructions care and adjustment book. I also came acros a trove of projector parts. All out of The theatre supply company out of Oklahoma City. A rare find for sure. I’m trying to find out some information on them. Was going to put on eBay. I’m open to any suggestions, Thank you!

  3. I have recently found a first edition copy of “hints to operators” how can I determine the value? It is missing some pages.

  4. I have come across Power’s Cameragraph catalog Copyright 1916.It’s 52 pages and all the prices are crossed out and new prices have been written in. I just found it interesting. D.Corso

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