Scovill Mfg. Co.

 

Scovill Blair-Utility-Type View Camera

 

 

5 x 8" serial number probably 299 camera with a platform having "L"-shaped edges the same as the Blair Utility Camera and the L.M. Prince & Bros. Utility Camera.
The clip that holds the ground glass frame up is home made.

Bottom

Stamp, upper lens board: "Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y."

Stamp, rear surface of platform - same stamp as on the lens board.

Stamp, inside of upper rear standard: looks like "299".

 

 

5 x 8" serial number probably 293 camera with a platform having "L"-shaped edges the same as the Blair Utility Camera and the L.M. Prince & Bros. Utility Camera.
The clip that secures the ground glass frame is similar to the type used on Rochester Optical Co. cameras.  The example above may have had the same type clip before its was lost or broken.




Stamp, upper lens board: "Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y."

Stamp, lower rear standard, serial number "293".

 

 

Manufacturer: Scovill Mfg. Co., probably the New Haven, CT factory
Date Introduced:  ; Years Manufactured: c.1890
Construction: rear focus via push-pull locked with a thumbscrew through the right wooden slider; single swing; non-reversing; three-piece lens board
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; nickel-plated brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5x8,
Notes:  

     These are the only two Scovill products I have ever seen having 1) "L"-shaped edges on a platform, 2) wooden sliders similar to Rochester New Model cameras, or 3) metal protectors on the front.  Yet, here are two examples that have identical construction except for the shape and size of the corner protectors on the front.  The two examples also have identical Scovill stamps in identical spots (lens board and rear of platform).  I must conclude that this is one of Scovill's models for which there is no engraving.

 

 

References:
 

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