How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List,
C. H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), 1883, ~6"x9", 48pp
Copyright 1883 by Scovill Mfg. Co.
This catalog printed relatively early in the dry plate era contains Scovill's and American Optical's amateur models, of which there are only three: Scovill Ne Plus Ultra, American Optical Apparatus Outfit (otherwise known as The 76 Camera), and American Optical Tourist Pocket Outfit. Within a few years, many more amateur models would be added.
Here, the classic American Optical camera usually called The 76, is referred to by the unmemorable name of Apparatus Outfit. Apparatus Outfit was apparently rarely used (or rapidly dropped) in favor of The 76. It is mainly due to the order numbers (201, 202, 203, etc.) that we know for sure that this name refers to The 76, which is described by the same numbers in later catalogs.
Following the catalog images is a photograph of Charles H. Codman, scanned from an albumin print tipped into The Photographic Times and American Photographer, Vol. XIV, No. 158, New Series No. 38, February 1884, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), dated February 1884. On 17 Sep 1883, a large container of nitric acid was broken in the store, causing a fire. Mr. Codman died the next day from the effects of inhaling the fumes.
The Photographic Times and American Photographer, Vol.
XIV, No. 158, New Series No. 38, February 1884,
Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), dated February 1884
