Blair Camera Co.
Tourograph
Date Introduced: 1878
; Years Manufactured: 1878-c.1883
Construction: solid body; no base;
self-contained processing for wet plates
Materials: mahogany body; no base; no
bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 5x8
Notes: This intriguing
camera features a pop-out front which is covered by two sliding doors
for travel. The top also pops up. According to the George
Eastman House, the camera was fabricated by American Optical. A
photograph can be seen at http://www.eastman.org/fm/mees/htmlsrc/mB635100001_ful.html#topofimage.
An improved model was offered in the Walsl Cat., 1882, p. 51,
along with the original.
References:
Untitled Catalog, The Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Company, Boston, MA,
1882, p. 5-8
The Photographer's Friend, 7th ed.,
Richard Walsl (Baltimore, MD) Catalog, 1882,
p. 51
Untitled 8p. Catalog, The Blair Tourograph & Dry Plate Company, Boston,
MA, undated, c.1884, un-numbered pages but appears to be p. 6
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