Blair Tourograph Co.

Tourograph

Date Introduced: 1878 ; Years Manufactured: 1878-c.1883
Construction: solid body; no base; self-contained processing for wet plates
Materials: mahogany body; no base; no bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5x8
Notes: This intriguing camera features a pop-out front which is covered by two sliding doors for travel.  The top also pops up.  According to the George Eastman House, the camera was fabricated by American Optical.  A photograph can be seen at http://www.eastman.org/fm/mees/htmlsrc/mB635100001_ful.html#topofimage.  An improved model was offered in the Walsl Cat., 1882, p. 51, along with the original.
References:
Untitled Catalog, The Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Company, Boston, MA, 1882, p. 5-8
The Photographer's Friend, 7th ed, Richard Walsl (Baltimore, MD) Catalog, 1882, p. 51

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