American Optical Company

Scovill Mfg. Co.


Walmsley's Photomicrographic Camera

 

5 x 5"




metal label on top of camera

stamps on rear rails

stamp on the plate holder (note that the plate holder and camera have the same assembly number, 5)

 

Manufacturer: American Optical Co. New York, NY factory
Date Introduced:
- ; Years Manufactured: c. 1884 - c.1896
Construction: rear focus via push-pull; two bellows sections, no swing; front rise, non-reversing
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5x5
Notes:

     In the 1850's through the end of the century, finely made microscopes were manufactured abroad and in the United States for both professional and serious amateur use.  When dry plates became available, it was inevitable that microscopists should desire to make photographs of their tiny subjects. 

     Starting about 1886 and continuing through 1891, Scovill Mfg. Co. advertised in their catalogs three cameras designed specifically for microscopists: 1) Scovill's Outfit, 2) the Mercer Photomicrographic Camera, and, starting in 1887, 3) Walmsley's Photomicrographic Camera.

     All photomicrographic cameras are merely an apparatus that puts a plate or film in the way of the light exiting the top of the microscope (usually without the eyepiece, or sometimes with a special photo-eyepiece).  To prevent extraneous light from fogging the film, the photomicrographic camera has the usual light-tight bellows of a normal camera, but also needs a lens board having a conical extension to couple the camera to the microscope tube.  This device is missing from the above illustrated camera.

 

How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), distributed by C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), April 1887, pp. 42-43

How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), distributed by C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), April 1887, pp. 44-45

 

 

References:
Photographic Times and American Photographer, Vol. XIV, No.158 (New Series, No. 38), Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), February 1884, ads p. 22
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), distributed by C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), April 1887, pp. 42-43
Scovill Manf'g Co. Catalogue Photographic Goods, June, 1887, David Tucker & Co. (Buffalo, NY), June, 1887, pp.181-182
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Avery & Perkins (Grand Rapids, MI), undated but about January 1888, pp. 46-47
An Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Cameras, Lenses and Other Apparatus and Materials for Photography, W.H. Walmsley & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), April 1, 1888, p. 25-37
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), May 1888, pp. 37-38
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co., distributed by John Wanamaker (Philadelphia, PA), June 1888, pp. 37-38
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co., distributed by C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), September 1888, pp. 38-39
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), November 1888, pp. 38-39
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List
, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), January 1889, pp. 36-37
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1890, pp. 40-41
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Oscar Foss (San Francisco, CA), June 1890, pp. 41-42
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Oscar Foss (San Francisco, CA), June 1890, pp. 33-34
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), January 1891, pp. 44-45
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Horgan, Robey & Co. (Boston, MA), June 1891, pp. 33-34
The Internation Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin", Vo. IV, June, 1891, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), ads p.10
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), January 1892, pp. 34-35
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), abt. June 1892, pp. 37-38
Catalogue of Photographic Goods and All Articles Pertaining to Photography, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), undated c.1895, p. 18
How to Make Photographs and a Descriptive Catalogue of Photographic Materials Illustrated, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1896, p. 50-51

 

 

Back to American Optical Co. / Scovill Mfg. Co. (alphabetical)