American Optical Co., Scovill Mfg. Co., props.

Compact View, Variation 2 or Irving, Variation 2

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1895
Construction: bed moves through base to focus via rack and pinion (gears internal to base); single swing; reversing by removable back; three-piece lensboard
Materials: mahogany body; mahogany base; red leather bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: at least 5x8 (above photos); 11x14
Notes: This is an English compact-style camera, marked as to maker by a celluloid tag on top.  This camera is about halfway between the Compact View and the Irving.  Maybe it is its own model, except that ads or catalog illustrations of this camera have not been found yet.  An unmarked 11x14 version having identical construction to the camera above was sold on eBay in 2002, though, so it is not unique.
References:
 

Back to American Optical Co.