Scovill Mfg. Co.
American Optical Company
Philadelphia Stereoscopic Box - New
Manufacturer:
American Optical Co. New York, NY factory
Date Introduced: 1870 ; Years Manufactured:
c.1871-1882
Construction: rear
focus via push-pull with fine focusing screw;
single swing; reversing by two tripod mounts; three-piece lens board
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base;
black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 4x7; 4x8; 5x8
Notes: Described in the
references as being the same as the
Philadelphia Stereoscopic Box, except for the
swing configuration. The rear of this
camera is reported in the references as a design
which swings inside of the main box, while the "old" version
swings outside. However, American
Optical did not help to
distinguish the difference by using the same engraving for both
cameras. More confusion is added by Wilson, Hood & Co., who use
that same engraving for Stereoscopic Boxes
on p. 33, while advertising the Philadelphia cameras on the next page.
The engraving below, while not a stereo format, shows the basic
configuration of a swing inside the main box.
Back to American Optical
Co. / Scovill Mfg. Co. (alphabetical)
References:
Photo. Times Vol. 1,
Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), 1871, p. 14
The Photographer's Friend, Priced Catalogue of Photographic
Requisites of Superior Excellence, The National Photographic
Emporium, Baltimore, MD, Richard Walzl, Prop., 2nd Edition, 1872, pp
90-91
American Optical Catalog,
1878, p. 12-13
Illustrated Catalogue of General Photographic
Supplies, Thos. H. McCollin (Philadelphia,
PA), 1882, p. 9
