F. Putnam Co. (Scovill Mfg. Co.)

Marvel

Date Introduced: - ;Years Manufactured: c.1880's
Construction: back focus via push-pull; single swing; non-reversing
Materials: white-wood body (possibly cherry); cherry base; black rubber bellows; brass hardware, varnish finish
Sizes Offered: 4x5, 5x8, 8x10 on special order
Notes:  Putnam Marvels are not rare cameras.  They appear to have been  made by Scovill Mfg. Co.(the illustrated camera certainly is, see below), and many, the the one above, appear to be identical to the Favorite model.  Later ones appear to be identical to the Waterbury.  The above engraving was used both in Marvel Literature and for the Scovill Favorite, but then other engravings in the above Marvel Circular appear to be appropriated from Scovill's Ne Plus Ultra and American Optical's 76 Models.   Examples of Marvels are known with two ground glass clamps, as in the engraving, and also with one central clamp, as in the above photos.

The illustrated camera is a 5x8.  The camera was originally stamped with the usual "Scovill Mfg. Co." on the right rear of the base.  This stamp was over-stamped with "Marvel". "F. Putnam New York" is stamped on the left rear of the base.  Another Scovill stamp appears on the lensboard.  The case is typical Scovill construction (splines at the corners, and it comes with a Scovill Waterbury lens.   It does not have the 1885 patent sliding devices to make the bed rigid, instead relying on a simple removable thumbscrew, so it may have been made prior to 1885, or may have been made cheaper that way.  The brass Waterbury lens has insertable stops, shown removed in photo 1.  The removable ground glass is painted black on most  Marvels.

A 5x8" camera marked F. Putnam New York and Marvel serial no. 326 was sold on eBay that was identical to the Scovill Waterbury Variation 1, including the hinged ground glass and rounded front molding.  Apparently Putnam bought various models from Scovill to be sold as Marvel.

References:
Descriptive Circular of Home Photography, Franklin Putnam, c. 1885.
Practical Instructions for Amateurs, revised by Franklin Putnam, c. 1885

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