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

Dry Plate Equipment (#1-8)

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1882
Construction: rear focus via push-pull; no or single swing; reversing by two tripod mounts or non-reversing; three-piece lensboard
Materials: basswood or mahogany body (see notes); black rubber/fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: #1=4x5; #2=5x8; #3=5x8 stereo; #4=4x5 vertical; #6=5x8 stereo and single combo.; #7=6.5x8.5; #8=8x10
Notes: Numbers 1-3 are called "plain, serviceable" (probably basswood and non-folding bed); numbers 4-6 are mahogany w/ folding bed, single swing and focus screw; numbers7-8 are plain and horizontal only w/ folding bed. These descriptions are identical to those of the Scovill Tourist Amateur Outfits/Amateur Photographic Outfits.   The difference between #4-6 and #201-203 is that the #201-203 (#203 being also called the "76" camera) models were French polished, while the #4-6 were not, and presumably varnished.
References:
Walsl Cat., 1882, p. 51-52 (with ads for models A-C and 201-203)
 

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