4 x 5 Boston Bulls-Eye (1893 ? - 1895)

The better known Boston Bulls-Eye for 3.5 inch square photos on daylight loading roll film was introduced in 1892. It is a landmark camera because it was the first to combine the front roll design, daylight loading film and the red window.
After the introduction of this model a 4 x 5 inch model was also put on the market. This camera is barely known and very rare indeed. I do not know when it was introduced, but my best guess would be 1893. After Eastman Kodak took over the Boston Camera Mfg. Co. the camera was continued as the Kodak No. 4 Bullet and No. 4 Bull's-Eye, with a slightly modified design.

There is no name on the camera, but two labels inside give away the identity: 4 x 5 Bulls-Eye Camera.

The design of the camera is the same as the regular Boston Bulls-Eye. It has all three innovative features. Because the picture size of 4 x 5 inch is too large to use a fixed focus lens, the camera has a lever to move the lens and so focus it at different distances. (If you have this camera and cannot get out the film holding part, you have to move the lever to the back as much as possible. In the forward position the lens protrudes into the film holding part and prevents it from sliding out.)

The camera did cost US $ 15, complete with one film cartridge for 12 exposures. A separate film did cost 90 cents. Developing, printing and mounting on gold-edge cards did cost $ 1.75.

These pages are from a 1894 booklet "Stray bits at the World's Fair by a Bull's-Eye" that was published by the Boston Camera Mfg Co.