On November 3rd 2002 a bit of Deardorff
history was discovered. Perhaps rediscovered is more fitting.
A date was discovered stamped on the back of
a rear extension rack of an early series V8 Deardorff.
This particular Deardorff was a bit of an anomaly.
Its metal parts were not finished in the typical clear lacquer. They were
painted in gold enamel. The date is 11-28. What
makes this unusual? From past talks with Merle Deardorff I believed
the last year for the production of the early
cameras (with wood and aluminum front standard) was 1924. See photo.
Here's a camera three years newer. So when did
these cameras give way to the mass produced metal part cameras?
Disassembling one of my early cameras yielded
a new date also: 1930! This camera was thought to have been from 1925.
It has the 4 part bed not the 13 part style.
To further confirm these revised dates I bought
a Central Camera catalog dated 1930. Inside was a cut of an early Deardorff
mentioning the "seven years of development" So this brings the early
style cameras made from 1923 to 1930 NOT 1925.
Boston Gear icon w/11-28
Wood and aluminum front standard