Scovill Mfg. Co., Waterbury, CT & New Haven, CT

 

St. Louis Camera, Variation 2
Front Focus Cone Camera, Variation 2
Front Focus Reversible Back Camera, Variation 2

 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1885-1889
Construction: front focus via rack and pinion (single gear track on middle base rail); 0/1/2 swings; reversing by removable back;
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: #110: 4x5 (illustrated); #111: 4.25x5x5; #112: 4.25x6.5; #113: 5x7; #114: 5x8; #115: 6.5x8.5; #117: 8x10; #118: 11x14
References: Photo. Times 15, 1885, p. 583; Scovill & Adams Catalog, January 1889, p. 26
Notes: A similar model was advertised by both American Optical and Scovill (even though Scovill owned American Optical).  American Optical St. Louis cameras have smoother finishes in both wood and brass, and seem to always have a silver Am Opt label.  Scovill St. Louis cameras have a lack of the above.  The St. Louis, Variation 1 has a bottom pivot swing rather than the center pivot swing shown above.

 

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