Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
When you place an absentee bid, you’ll choose a bid strategy. Your chosen strategy determines how the current bid will be set at the time your bid is placed. Your maximum bid always remains confidential.
The available strategies are:
🐢 Slow & Steady — starts your bid low and lets others chase you.
⚡💥 Power Bid — starts at about half your max to show intent without revealing your top number.
♥️♠️ All In ♦️♣️ — sets the current bid to your full bid amount right away.
The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
Bidding Quick Facts
How bidding works
All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Bid Successfully Submitted!
Your absentee bid for Lot 003 - Antique Cycle Poco No. 5 Folding Camera By Rochester Optical & Camera Co. With Bausch & Lomb Unicum Lens, With Three Matching Plate Holders And Original Case, Circa 1890s was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
You may continue to place additional bids.
For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Auction Rules.
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Lot 003 - Antique Cycle Poco No. 5 Folding Camera By Rochester Optical & Camera Co. With Bausch & Lomb Unicum Lens, With Three Matching Plate Holders And Original Case, Circa 1890s
Lot 003 - Antique Cycle Poco No. 5 Folding Camera By Rochester Optical & Camera Co. With Bausch & Lomb Unicum Lens, With Three Matching Plate Holders And Original Case, Circa 1890s
Pre-Auction Notes: Late 19th century Cycle Poco No. 5 folding camera, manufactured by Rochester Optical & Camera Co., featuring a rich mahogany body with leather bellows and brass fittings. Equipped with a Bausch & Lomb “Unicum” shutter and lens assembly, patented January 6, 1891. Once marketed as a lightweight field and cycle camera, this example retains its original hardware and finish.
Includes three plate holders marked Rochester Camera and Supply Co., Rochester, New York, along with the original fitted leather carrying case. The case shows heavy wear and is missing its strap. The camera fits snugly into the case, so it will be shipped outside the case to avoid unnecessary wear and tear to the leatherette camera covering.
Displays well as an early American photographic instrument. Untested, offered as found, with signs of wear consistent with age.