American Optical Co./Scovill Mfg. Co.
St. Louis Camera,
Variation 1
Front Focus Cone Camera, Variation 1
Front Focus
Reversible Back Camera, Variation 1
Date Introduced: - ; Years
Manufactured: c.1885-1889
Construction: front focus via
rack and pinion (single gear track on top of middle base rail); 0/1/2
swings; reversing by removable back; three-piece lensboard
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows;
brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 4x5; 4.25x5x5; 5x7; 6.5x8.5; 8x10 (photos)
Notes: When advertised, the engraving for this camera
usually carries a "Scovill" identification rather than an "American
Optical" identification. Yet cameras exist, such as the 8x10 version above,
that are stamped American Optical and having the usual high quality AO construction and
finish. Apparently this model was made both by Scovill and American Optical (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. This model is similar except for its non-revolving back to the American Optical Flammang's Revolving Back Front Focus Camera.
At least two other variations of the St. Louis exist. The St.
Louis, Variation 2 is as above, except that the swing back has a center pivot rather
than a bottom hinge. The St. Louis, Variation 3 has the
bottom hinge, but also has a low profile spring back, and double, locking gnurled
focusing knobs. These details indicate that it is probably a later version of
Variation 1. A strange detail is that Variations 1 and 2 have the patent bed locking
device going from the front to back, while Variation 3 has its patent bed locking device
going from back to front.
References:
Photographic Times 15, 1885, p. 583
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, C.H. Codman & Co.
(Boston, MA), April 1887, p. 35
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), September 1888, p.
27
Buchanan, Bromley & Co. (Philadelphia, PA) Catalog, 1888
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill & Adams Co.
Catalog, January 1889, p. 26
Buchanan, Bromley & Co. (Philadelphia, PA) Catalog, 1889
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