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 middle base rail); 0/1/2 swings; reversing by removable back;
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: #110: 4x5; #111: 4.25x5x5; #112: 4.25x6.5; #113: 5x7; #114: 5x8; #115: 6.5x8.5; #117: 8x10 (illustrated); #118: 11x14
Notes: A similar model was advertised by both American Optical and Scovill (even though Scovill owned American Optical).  American Optical cameras have smoother finishes in both wood and brass than Scovill cameras, and seem to always have a silver Am Opt label.  The above camera is an American Optical, but serves to illustrate the form.  Variation 1 has a bottom pivot for its swing, whereas Variation 2 has a center pivot swing.
References:
Photo. Times 15, 1885, p. 583
Scovill's Dry Plate Making for Amateurs, 1886, p. 13
Scovill's Photographic Series: The Photographic Instructor, 1888, p. xv
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
Photographic Material, Catalogue O & P, James W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), 1891, p. 49

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