[LargeFormat] Grafmatic film holders, by Wray Optical?!

[Jim Hemenway]

My Stereo Graphic has a "Made in USA" marking.  Perhaps Wray made a UK 
version?

Jim - http://www.hemenway.com


Clive Warren wrote:
> At 09:44 08/08/2003 -0400, Les Newcomer wrote:
> 
>> I've recently come across an anomaly in my Graflex history  (something 
>> all to easy to do)
>>
>> It's a Graflex Grafmatic, identical in every way to the Rochester 
>> version, except it says "Made in England under license by Wray Optical 
>> Co" from Graflex Inc."   The plastic "front" of the drawer seems to be 
>> made of bakelite rather than thermo-plastic as it has that flakey look 
>> to it.
>>
>> Does anybody have any history on this?  There's a another one on ebay 
>> right now (in better condition naturally) that has British military 
>> markings (broad arrow and some numbers).  He also states that the 
>> Stereo Graphic of the 50s was made by Wray also.
>>
>>
>> Can anybody confirm this?
>>
>> Les
> 
> 
> Les,
> 
> Some of these Wray made Grafmatics also have the military arrow on them. 
> Wray made them under licence from Graflex, probably for military orders 
> and intended for use with the UK version of the Linhof and Graflex 
> cameras - ie MPP Technical and Press cameras. These were the camera of 
> choice for many branches of the UK military.
> 
> As with many things military, the Grafmatics eventually found their way 
> into civilian use. Wray probably also supplied them direct to the public 
> without the arrow marking.
> 
> Can't help you on the Stereo Graphic.
> 
> Cheers,
>            Clive
>