American Optical Co./Scovill & Adams Co.

St. Louis Camera, Variation 3
Front Focus Cone Camera, Variation 3
Front Focus Reversible Back Camera, Variation 3

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1893-1897
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:   The St. Louis Type model was made both by Scovill and by American Optical (even though Scovill owned American Optical), an in a at least three variations. Above is an example of an 8x10 Scovill & Adams (1893-1901) vintage St. Louis, listed here even though it is not American Optical.  Note the rear platform for the swing, lower profile spring back, and the double, locking-type front knurled knob in the largest photo that are not present in St Louis, Variation 1.  These features indicate that Variation 3 is a later version than Variation 1.  St. Louis, Variation 2 has a center pivot for the swing rather than bottom pivot, and may be contemporaneous with Variation 1.  The wooden cases above are contemporaneous, but not manufactured by Scovill.
References:
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1897, p. lxi (bargain page)

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