Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Co.

Combination Camera, Reversible Back, Variation 1

11x14

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1884
Construction: front focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails); single or double swing; reverse by removable back; three-piece lensboard; two bellows system, one for front swing.
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; nickeled hardware
Sizes Offered: 4¼x5½; 5x7; 5x8/6½x8½; 6½x8½/8x10; 8x10/10x12; 11x14 (not advertised, but exists - photographs above - could be a special order)
Notes: two section base; front section removes for storage.   This camera is rather bulky, even when broken down.  The 5x8" back could be removed and replaced by a 6.5x8.5" one - hence the name combination.   The reversible part of the name comes from the ability to switch from horizontal to vertical format by removing and repositioning the back.  The ordinary Combination Camera also reverses, but only by taking the camera off the tripod and re-attaching it by its second tripod mount.  The Combination Camera, Reversible Back, Variation 1 has a peculiar giant front standard extension, while Variation 2 and Variation 3 have a normal front standard.  In the example above, the ground glass frame is a generic replacement, as the original was missing.  Also, the front extension, manufactured to extend straight outwards on folding wooden struts (as in the third engraving, above), has been altered to swing downwards, possibly for banquet work, since it is now similar to the Folmer & Schwing Banquet Camera.
References:
Century Magazine, 1883
Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Co. Catalog, 1884, pp. 3-6 (called New Reversible Blair Combination Camera)

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