American Optical Company
Scovill Mfg. Co.
Walmsley's Photomicrographic Camera
5 x 5" metal label
on top of camera stamps on
rear rails stamp on the
plate holder (note that the plate holder and camera have the same
assembly number, 5) Manufacturer:
American Optical Co. New York, NY factory In the 1850's through the
end of the century, finely made microscopes were manufactured abroad and
in the United States for both professional and serious amateur use.
When dry plates became available, it was inevitable that microscopists
should desire to make photographs of their tiny subjects.
Starting about 1886 and
continuing through 1891, Scovill Mfg. Co. advertised in their catalogs
three cameras designed specifically for microscopists: 1) Scovill's
Outfit, 2) the Mercer Photomicrographic Camera, and, starting
in 1887, 3) Walmsley's Photomicrographic Camera. All photomicrographic
cameras are merely an apparatus that puts a plate or film in the way of
the light exiting the top of the microscope (usually without the
eyepiece, or sometimes with a special photo-eyepiece). To prevent
extraneous light from fogging the film, the photomicrographic camera has
the usual light-tight bellows of a normal camera, but also needs a lens
board having a conical extension to couple the camera to the microscope
tube. This device is missing from the above illustrated camera. References:
Back to American Optical
Co. / Scovill Mfg. Co. (alphabetical)
Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured:
c. 1884 - c.1896
Construction: rear
focus via push-pull; two
bellows sections, no swing; front rise,
non-reversing
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base;
black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5x5
Notes:
Photographic Times and American Photographer, Vol. XIV, No.158 (New
Series, No. 38), Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), February 1884, ads
p. 22
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), distributed by
C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), April 1887, pp.
42-43
Scovill Manf'g Co. Catalogue Photographic Goods, June, 1887,
David Tucker & Co. (Buffalo, NY), June, 1887, pp.181-182
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY),
distributed by Avery & Perkins (Grand Rapids, MI),
undated but about January 1888, pp. 46-47
An
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Cameras, Lenses and Other
Apparatus and Materials for Photography, W.H. Walmsley & Co.
(Philadelphia, PA), April 1, 1888, p. 25-37
How to
Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New
York, NY), May 1888, pp. 37-38
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg.
Co., distributed by John Wanamaker (Philadelphia, PA), June 1888, pp.
37-38
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
Scovill Mfg. Co., distributed by C.H. Codman & Co.
(Boston, MA), September 1888,
pp. 38-39
How to Make
Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), November 1888, pp. 38-39
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams Co.
(New York, NY), January 1889, pp. 36-37
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams
Co. (New York, NY), 1890, pp. 40-41
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams
Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Oscar Foss (San Francisco, CA), June
1890, pp. 41-42
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams
Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Oscar Foss (San Francisco, CA), June
1890, pp. 33-34
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams
Co. (New York, NY), January
1891, pp. 44-45
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams
Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Horgan, Robey & Co. (Boston, MA),
June 1891, pp. 33-34
The Internation Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin", Vo. IV,
June, 1891, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), ads p.10
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams Co.
(New York, NY), January 1892, pp.
34-35
How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
The Scovill & Adams
Co. (New York, NY), abt. June 1892, pp. 37-38
Catalogue
of Photographic Goods and All Articles Pertaining to Photography,
The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), undated c.1895, p. 18
How to Make Photographs and a Descriptive
Catalogue of Photographic Materials Illustrated,
The Scovill & Adams Co.
(New York, NY), 1896, p.
50-51
