Seneca Camera Manufacturing Co., Rochester, NY

Magic View Camera

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1901
Construction: front focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of the base rails) and back focus via push-pull; double swing; reversing by removable back; 
Materials:  mahogany body, cherry base, black fabric bellows
Sizes Offered: 6.5x8.5; 8x10
Notes: This camera does not appear in any of the many Seneca catalogs that have survived, and yet has the distinctive Seneca rear swing hardware.   Smith may have contracted with Seneca to make the camera for them.  It is similar to the Seneca Improved View, but without rack and pinion on the rear standard (it slides  and is secured by the plate attached to the small bulbous protrusion just visible at the back).
References:
Jas. H. Smith & Co. (Chicago) Cat. 1901, p. 20

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