American Optical Co., Scovill Mfg. Co., props.
New View Camera Box
Improved View Camera Box
Cone View Camera Box
Thos. H. McCollins Catalog, 1882, p. 14
4¼x5½
Date Introduced: June, 1873 ; Years
Manufactured: 1873-c.1882
Construction: rear focus
via push-pull with fine focusing screw; single or
double swing;
square plateholder allows reversing
by placement of plate either horizontally or vertically;
three-piece lensboard; brass track guides
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows;
brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 4¼x5½; 6½x8½; 8x10;10x12; 11x14; 14x17;
17x20; 20x24
Notes: The catalogs explain that
this model is made two ways: 1) the back swings inside of body (as
illustrated in the engraving and the photographed camera); 2)
the back swings outside of body. The
Venus is an 8x10 version of this camera with extra
accessories. Both the illustrated cameras are the 4¼x5½" format that is
uncommon in later years. The camera illustrated above is a single swing as issued, except
it has a frame-like base rather than the filled base shown in the catalog
engraving. The
camera illustrated below was originally 4¼x5½ size double swing, and has the
filled base,
but it's original ground glass back has been altered to have a spring-loaded 4x5 back.
Both cameras have side and rear brass guides that are stamped "JOHN
STOCK'S PATENTED AUG. 4, 1863 ASSIGNED TO AM. OPTICAL Co." That
patent substantially describes the layout of this camera. John
Stock was bought out by American Optical in 1866. That the brass is
stamped with a John Stock reference probably means that these cameras date more
towards 1873 than to 1882.
4¼x5½
References:
Photographic Times 3, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York,
NY), June, 1873, p. 83 (referred to as new)
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY),
distributed by Wilson, Hood & Co. Cat., 1873, p. 34
American Optical Catalog, 1878, p. 15-16
Illustrated Catalogue of General Photographic Supplies,
Thos. H. McCollin (Philadelphia, PA), 1882, p. 14
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