Scovill Mfg. Co.
American Optical Company

Field View Cameras

Organized by Form (Go to Alphabetical)

 

American Optical Co., New York, NY (1858- )
American Optical Co., New Haven, CT
American Optical Div. Scovill Mfg. Co. (1867-1871)
American Optical Co., Scovill Mfg. Co., props. (1871-1889)
American Optical Co., Scovill & Adams Co., props. (1889-1902)

 

 

 

American Optical / Scovill Patents:
(assigned to Scovill) 039,432; Aug 4, 1863; camera (this refers to the "John Stock's Patent", which is stamped on American Optical and Scovill hardware in the late 1860's-1880's)
237,246; Feb. 1, 1881; focusing frame using celluloid instead of glass (D.N. Carvalho).  Only used for the A.O. Irving camera.
243,136; Jun 21, 1881; wooden plate holder (original patentee: J. Milton Howe).  This patent was also used by Blair.

277,787; May 15, 1883; blackboard slide for plate holder (patent held by Blair, but Scovill used it by royalties paid)
283,589; Aug 21, 1883: Flammang revolving back (always stamped Flammang's)
328,664; Oct 20, 1885: rod & cylinder system for making bed rigid (by Flammang, and often stamped Flammang's Patent)
331,448; Dec. 1, 1885: front & rear focusing, two bellows camera (The Ripley Camera); George Ripley, assignor to Scovill Mfg. Co.
376,983; Jan 24, 1888: plate holder (original patentee: Willard H. Fuller, assigned to Scovill Mfg. Co.).

402,154; Apr 30, 1889: print frame (original patentee: Willard H. Fuller, assigned to Scovill Mfg. Co.).
428,809; May 27, 1890: wooden plate holder (original patentee: Willard H. Fuller, assigned to The Scovill & Adams Co.).
436,891; Sep 16, 1890: view camera having struts, essentially The Irving Camera (Washington Irving Adams, for The Scovill & Adams Co.).
 

Scans of a large number of catalogs can be found here.  Scans of American Optical and Scovill catalogs are here
 

 

- American Optical Co. and Scovill Mfg. Co. Cameras -

including cameras manufactured by:
-- American Optical Co. (1867 - 1907) in the former John Stock factory, & as re-built in 1884, in New York, NY;
-- Scovill Mfg. Co. (1857 - 1889), Scovill & Adams Co. (1889 - 1901) and Anthony & Scovill Co. (1901 - 1907) in the former Samuel Peck & Co. factory in New Haven, CT;
-- Anthony & Scovill Co. (1901 - 1907) in the former Samuel Peck & Co. factory in New Haven, CT (Cameras that are a continuation of Scovill & Adams cameras; Cameras that are a continuation of E. & H.T. Anthony cameras are on the Anthony thumbnail page);
-- ANSCO and Agfa/ANSCO (1907 - c.1930's)

including separated tables for:
--
Straight Bellows, Rear Focus
-- Tapered (Cone) Bellows, Rear Focus
-- Tapered (Cone) Bellows, Front Focus
-- Stereoscopic Cameras
-- Bicycle Cameras
-- ANSCO/Agfa-ANSCO Cameras
-- Miscellaneous Cameras

    Within each table, cameras are listed in groups of camera models that are closely related in design or models that are an update of previous models (in order to aid identification), and, within each group, are listed in approximately chronological order. 

 

Straight Bellows, Rear Focus
American Optical Co.
View Camera Boxes, Number 1 (Model No.'s 1-7)
(c.1871)

 
American Optical Co.
View Camera Boxes (Model No.'s 21-28)
(c.1871 - c.1882)

 
American Optical Co.
View Camera Boxes, Number 2 (Model No.'s 40-50 & No. 130)
Non-Folding Platform
(c.1871 - c.1882)

 
American Optical Co.
View Camera Boxes, Number 2 (Model No.'s 40-50 & No. 130)
Folding Platform
(c.1871 - c.1882)

 
American Optical Co.
View Camera Boxes Transitional to Improved View Camera Boxes
(c.1875 - c.1882)

 
American Optical Co.
76 Camera/Centennial Camera/Pocket Camera/Model Stereo - Wet Plate Version (1876 - c.1882)
 
863.americn.optical-transitional.76-.4.25x6.5a-cam.only-300v.jpg863.americn.optical-transitional.76-.4.25x6.5f-gg.down-300v.jpg  American Optical Co.
View Camera Boxes Transitional to the 76 Camera
(c.1876)
 
American Optical Co.
76 Camera/Centennial Camera/Pocket Camera - Dry Plate Version (No.'s 201-204)
(1885 - c.1898)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co.
76 Camera/Centennial Camera/Pocket Camera - Dry Plate Version (No.'s 201-204)
(1885 - c.1898)

 
tnamopt764x5c.jpg (7538 bytes) American Optical Co. 
Kilburn Gun Camera
(c.1882 - 1886)
 
133.am.opt.scovill-ne.plus.ultra-4x5a-s.holder&case-800h.jpg  
American Optical Co.
Ne Plus Ultra Rigid Platform (A-E)

Dry Plate Outfit (A-C)
(c. 1881-1883)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co.
Ne Plus Ultra Folding Platform (A-E)
(c.1883 - c.1885)
c.1887 - c.1896)

 
tnaocom.jpg (1718 bytes)tnaocom.jpg (1718 bytes)tnaocom.jpg (1718 bytes)
American Optical Co.
New Tourists' Photographic Amateur Outfit (No.'s 610-641)
 Amateur Photographic Outfit (No.'s 610-635)
Dry Plate Equipment
(#'s 1-8)
(c.1882 - c.1885)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co.
Unknown Model
(sycamore wood, folding platform, no swing with drop shutter)
(c.1883 - 1885)
 
355.scovill-new.york-5x8a-w.holder.dark.cloth&case-800h.jpg Scovill Mfg. Co.
New York (601-603) Outfit
(c. 1884-1889)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co.
Ne
w Haven Reversible Back View Camera
(c. 1880's - c.1890)

 
tnscovillwaterbury4x5b006.jpg (17155 bytes) Scovill Mfg. Co.
Waterbury Camera Variation 1A (sycamore wood)
(1885)
 
tnscovillwaterbury4x5b006.jpg (17155 bytes) Scovill Mfg. Co.
Waterbury Camera Variation 1
(1885)
 
Scovill Mfg. Co.
Waterbury Camera Variation 2
(c.1886 - 1898)
 
American Optical Co. 
Waterbury-Type Camera Variation 1
(hinges at the bottom of the ground glass frame)
(c.1886 - c.1898)

 
American Optical Co. 
Waterbury-Type Camera Variation 2
(hinges on the sides of the ground glass frame)

(c.1886 - c.1898)

 
134.scovill-favorite-5x4a-w.holder&case-800h.jpg Scovill Mfg. Co.
Favorite (A-DDD)

(c. 1886-1898)

 
tnscmarv.jpg (5058 bytes)tnscmarv.jpg (5058 bytes) Scovill Mfg. Co.
Putnam Marvel

(c. 1880's)

 
American Optical Co.
The Manifold Camera
(c.1885 - c.1896)

 
American Optical Co.
Ripley Camera
(c. 1885)

 
"76", Petite or Mignon
American Optical Co.
1888 Instantaneous Outfit ("76", Petite or Mignon Camera coupled with an instantaneous shutter)
(1888)

 
Wonder Equipment
Scovill Mfg. Co.
Wonder Equipment
(1890 - c. 1896)
 
Economic Camera
American Optical Co.
Economic Camera
(c. 1896)
 

tnscovillelite5x8b.jpg (7452 bytes)319.scovill&adams-elite-5x8f-gg.closed-350v.jpg

American Optical Co.
Elite View Outfit
(c. 1890-1898)

 
tnscoedg.jpg (1654 bytes) Scovill Mfg. Co.
The Edgewater

(c. 1893)
 
214.unknown.scovill-6x8a-355v.jpg214.unknown.scovill-6x8b-355v.jpg American Optical Co.
Unknown
(c. 1895)

 
 
Tapered (Cone) Bellows, Rear Focus
Scovill Mfg. Co.
New Haven Compact View Camera
(c.1870's - c.1884)

 

American Optical Co.
Cone View Camera (Model No.'s 51-58)
(c.1873-c.1884)

 
American Optical Co.
View Camera Boxes Transitional to Improved View Camera Boxes
(c.1875 - c.1882)

 
American Optical Co.
Cone View Camera Boxes
View Camera Boxes New
View Camera Boxes
Improved

(1873- c.1882)

 
tnaoviewicat.jpg (3587 bytes) American Optical Co.
Venus Box/8x10 Improved View Camera Box w/ Extras
(c.1874 - c.1882)

 
scovillacmecatgatchel1888p32-350vtn.jpg182.scovill&adams-acme.var1-6x8f-gg.in-350v.jpg American Optical Co.
Acme Reversible Back View Box Variation 1
Back Focus Cone
(c.1878- c.1888)
 
367.american.optical-acme-8x10a-cam.only-400v.jpg367.american.optical-acme-8x10f-gg.out-400v.jpg American Optical Co.
Acme Reversible Back View Box Variation 2
Back Focus Cone
(c.1885)

 
   
tnaolandcat.jpg (5593 bytes)tnaolandcat.jpg (5593 bytes) American Optical Co.
Acme Reversible Back View Box Variation 3
Back Focus Cone
(c.1890)
 
tnaolandcat.jpg (5593 bytes) American Optical Co.
Landscape Reversible View
(c.1896 - c.1900)

 
tnaoflamrf8x10b.jpg (4459 bytes) American Optical Co.
Flammang's Revolving-Back Camera Back Focus Variation 1 (Nickel Hardware)
(1883 - c.1896)

 
tnaoflamrf8x10b.jpg (4459 bytes) American Optical Co.
Flammang's Revolving-Back Camera Back Focus Variation 2 (Brass Hardware)
(1883 - c.1896)

 
 
Tapered (Cone) Bellows, Front Focus
 American Optical Co.
Tourist Pocket (0206-0207) Outfit
(1883 - c.1891)

 
tnaoflff.jpg (1923 bytes)tnaoflff.jpg (1923 bytes)  American Optical Co.
Flammang's Reversible Back Camera Front Focus
(c.1884 - 1896)

 

American Optical Co.
Star
(c.1890 - 1896)

 
tnscovillelite5x8b.jpg (7452 bytes)tnscovillelite5x8b.jpg (7452 bytes)  American Optical Co.
Elm City Outfit
(c. 1896)

 
tnaostlouis8x10d185.jpg (21366 bytes)185.american.optical-st.louis.var.1-8x10b-300v.jpg  American Optical Co.
Front Focus Cone Camera Variation 1
Front Focus Reversible Back Camera Variation 1

St. Louis Camera Variation 1
(c. 1885 - 1889)

 
tnscostl.jpg (1648 bytes)  American Optical Co.
Front Focus Cone Camera Variation 2
Front Focus Reversible Back Camera Variation 2

St. Louis Camera Variation 2
(c. 1885 - 1889)

 
tnscovilladamsstlouis8x10b211.jpg (17489 bytes)tnscovilladamsstlouis8x10b211.jpg (17489 bytes)  American Optical Co.
Front Focus Cone Camera Variation 3
Front Focus Reversible Back Camera Variation 3

St. Louis Camera Variation 3
(c. 1889)

 
American Optical Co.
Ripley Camera
(c. 1885)

 
tnscovillalbion6x8b136.jpg (17047 bytes)tnscovillalbion6x8b136.jpg (17047 bytes) Scovill Mfg. Co
Albion Camera Variation 1
(c. 1886 - 1897)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co
Albion Camera Variation 2
(c. 1893 - 1897)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co
Albion Camera Variation 3
(c.1897)

 
tnamericanopticalflandreau5x5a356.jpg (9836 bytes)  American Optical Co.
The Flandreau
(c.1888 - 1896)

 
Leader Camera
American Optical Co.
Leader Camera
(c. 1896)
 
 American Optical Co.
Compact View Variation 1
(c.1892 - c.1896)

 
176.american.optical-irving.var.2-5x8a-recolor-cam.only-400v.jpg176.american.optical-irving.var.2-5x8f-recolor-400v.jpg  American Optical Co.
Compact View Variation 2 or Irving Variation 2 (rod front)
(c.1895)

 
105.american.optical-irving-6x8a-w.4.holders&case-800h.jpg  American Optical Co.
Irving (wood front)
(c.1898 - c.1900)

 
 
Stereoscopic Cameras
tnaostbxcat.jpg (4095 bytes) American Optical Co.
Stereoscopic Boxes
(c.1860's - c.1871)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co.
New Haven Stereoscopic Camera
(c.1870's - 1884)

 
American Optical Co.
Philadelphia Stereoscopic Box
(c.1870 - c.1887)

 
Philadelphia Stereoscopic Box New
 

American Optical Co.
Philadelphia Stereoscopic Box New
(c.1871 - c.1882)
 
Newton Stereoscopic Box
 

American Optical Co.
Newton Stereoscopic Box
(c.1878 - c.1884)
 

American Optical Co.
Model Stereo Camera Box
(c.1878 - c.1884)
 

American Optical Co.
Double Stereo Box

(c.1878)

 
 
Bicycle Cameras
765.scovill-ne.plus.ultra.bicycle-3x4a-w.bicycle.clamp-800h.jpg Scovill Mfg. Co
Ne Plus Ultra Bicycle
(c.1885 - c.1886)

 
Scovill Mfg. Co
Pocket Bicycle Camera
(c. 1886 - c.1892)
 
American Optical Co.
Petite Camera
(c. 1886-1894)

 
Mignon Bicycle Camera
American Optical Co.
Mignon Bicycle Camera
(c.. 1885-1894)

 
 
 ANSCO/Agfa-ANSCO Cameras
ANSCO View
ANSCO
ANSCO View
(c. 1920's)

 
tnagfaanscocommercialviewcat.jpg (13887 bytes) Agfa-Ansco
Commercial View Camera

(c. 1920's - c.1938)
 
Agfa-Ansco
Standard View Camera
(c. 1935)

 
tnagfauniversala.jpg (15175 bytes) Agfa-Ansco
Universal View Camera
(c. 1926-c.1935)
 
tnanscoagfauniversaljunior3x4b063.jpg (14202 bytes)tnanscoagfauniversaljunior3x4b063.jpg (14202 bytes)

Agfa-Ansco
Universal Junior View Camera
(c. 1935)

 

 
 Miscellaneous Cameras
American Optical Co.
Ripley Camera
(c. 1885)

 
tnscoacm.jpg (1757 bytes)
Scovill Mfg. Co
ABC Photographic Outfits
The American Scholar Equipment
(c. 1888 - 1894)

 
tn214scunk6x8a.jpg (4843 bytes)tn214scunk6x8a.jpg (4843 bytes) American Optical Co.
Unknown
(c. 1895)

 
tnscovillpanoramiccamera1897almanaclxix.jpg (14111 bytes) Scovill Mfg. Co
Panoramic Camera
(c. 1897 - 1899)

 
American Optical Co.
Walmsey's Photomicrographic Camera

(c.1884- c.1896)