1923 Tropical Goertz Tenax 9 x 12cm

This camera is a Tropical version of a circa 1923, 9x12 cm Goerz Tenax. Tropical cameras were intended for well-heeled owners embarking on luxurious cruise ships to far off destinations. As the name implies they were designed to stand up to the salt air of an ocean voyage and the hot humid climates of the tropics. In their era these cameras were taken along on grand safari's, trips to the far flung corners of the British empire and to the many exotic islands of the south Pacific...

In order to improve the durability of these cameras, they didn't have leather coverings (which was susceptible to mold and mildew) and the cameras were constructed of hardwoods instead. The fittings were generally brass or gold plated brass which is not susceptible to rusting. (The gold finish on this camera is showing wear but it's aging gracefully.) The remaining leather that was needed in the bellows and matt glass was specially treated to improve durability and this resulted in a color that varies between red and brown.