Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Co.

Combination Camera, Variation 2

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1883-1894
Construction: rear focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails); single swing or double swing (5x8 only); reverse by two tripod mounts; three-piece lensboard
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; nickeled hardware
Sizes Offered: 1530=4x5 w/ 5x8 extension; 1531=5x8A w/ 6.5x8.5 or 8x10 extension; 1532=5x8B w/ 6.5x8.5 or 8x10 extension
Notes: The combination part of the name referred to the ability to have two plate sizes in a small package due to the Blair patent extension pieces.   The above camera is 5x8, and the Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Co. Catalog, 1884, p. 8 states: "The 5x8(A) is the camera well known as our 'Triumph'".  The A model had a 13" focus capacity; there was a B model having a 14.5" focus capacity.  The darkslides in the holders are metallic zinc, an option so stated in the 1884 catalog.  The Combination Variation 1 has friction focus rather than rack and pinion.
References:
Photographic Times 13, March, 1883, p. V
Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Co. Catalog, 1884, p. 8-10
James W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia) Catalog, 1886, p. 57
Oscar Foss (San Francisco) Catalog, 1890, p. 10
Anthony's Photographic Bulletin XXV No. 5, May 1 1894, p. xi

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