Swift & Son (London, England)
Rapid Paragon Lens (rapid rectilinear) - c. 1890's
Notes:
This lens is engraved: "No. 3637 Swift and Son London / Rapid 10 x 8 Paragon / Sole American Agents The Scovill and Adams Co." It was found on a view camera, model Flammang's Patent Revolving Back Camera Back Focus Variation 2.1 (American Optical Co., Scovill & Adams, Prop'rs). This lens was the only lens ever installed on the lens board (from the number of holes), which makes for a very nice "as sold" item.
Not many Swift & Son lenses appear on American view cameras. Scovill Mfg. Co. imported Darlot lenses from France to compete with E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., which had a long-standing relationship with Dallmeyer of London. Both camera manufacturers also had their own in-house lens manufacturing, Scovill having bought the American Optical Co. (of New York City - not of Southbridge, MA, the spectacles-maker), who previously had merged with or purchased the C.C. Harrison Optical Co. Scovill also had a long-standing relationship with Richard Morrison to purchase lenses under his name, and also to manufacture lenses for Scovill under the Peerless brand.
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