American Optical / Scovill / Ansco Catalogs

     Scovill and American Optical were early photographic companies.  Scovill purchased American Optical in 1867.  For much of the dry plate era, some cameras were marked and marketed as Scovill and others marked and marketed as American Optical.  Sometimes, remarkably similar models were produced by both Scovill and American Optical, and the catalogs were none too careful about the distinction.  Generally, American Optical cameras appear to be made of a better quality wood, and their wood and metal finished more carefully than Scovill cameras.

     The catalogs listed below are specific to American Optical and Scovill.  All catalogs may be found here.

     For each catalog, two facing pages are shown per image.  Catalogs are marked as (complete), meaning all pages were scanned or (the pages scanned).  Each image is about 1mb, so downloads can take considerable time for complete catalogs.  Some catalogs have a link to a single .pdf file containing the complete catalog.  The .pdf files are 10-30mb.

1872 The Photographer's Friend, Second Edition, The National Photographic Emporium, Richard Walzl, proprietor,  (Baltimore, MD), copyright 1872, ~4½"x7½", 180pp & frontispiece & 2 unpaginated pages between 68 and 69 (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1876 Catalogue of Photographic Lenses, Consisting of Peerless Portrait, Darlot Portrait, Morrison's Landscape, Condensing Lenses, &c., Scovill Mfg. Co. (Waterbury, CT), 1876 by Scovill Mfg. Co., ~6"x9", 12pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1880 The Photographic Times, Vol. X, No. 115, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), dated July 1880,  ~6½"x9½", pages 145-168 (complete)

c.1882 Un-named Four Page Flyer of Cameras and Supplies, Scovill Mfg. Co (New York, NY), c. 1882, ~5½"x8½", 4pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1883 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, C.H. Codman &Co. (Boston, MA), copyright 1883 by Scovill Mfg. Co., ~6"x9", 48pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1883 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Wilson, Hood &Co. (Philadelphia, PA), copyright 1883 by Scovill Mfg. Co., ~6"x9", 48pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1884 The Photographic Times, Vol. XIV, No. 158, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), dated February 1884,  ~6½"x9¾", pages 55-108 & 48pp advertising (titles and ads)

1884 The Photographic Times, Vol. XIV, No. 171, New Series No. 51, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), dated December 26, 1884,  ~6½"x9½", pages 695-720, 8pp intro & 44pp advertising (complete)

c.1885 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 1, The Photographic Amateur 2nd edition, J. Traill Taylor, Scovill Mfg. Co., publisher (New York, NY), copyright 1883, 2nd edition about 1885 ~5¾"x9", 104pp & 30pp advertising (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1886 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co, publisher (New York, NY), copyright 1886, ~5¾"x9", 96pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1886 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 17, First Lessons in Amateur Photography, Randall Spaulding, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1886, ~6"x9", book section: 48pp; catalog section 30pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1886 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 20, Dry Plate Making for Amateurs, George L. Sinclair, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1886, ~5½"x8½", book section: 28pp; catalog section 30pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

c.1886 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 12 A Manual of Photographic Chemistry, Rev. T. Frederick Hardwich, M.A., Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1886, ~5¾"x8¾", book section: 384pp; catalog section 38pp (catalog section only - a8-a39)

1887 How to Make Pictures, 4th edition, Scovill Mfg. Co, publisher (New York, NY), dated 1887 (copyright 1886), ~5¾"x9", 104pp & 40pp catalog (104, a01-a40)

1887 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co (New York, NY), distributed by C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), dated April 1887, ~6"x9", 104pp (1-60)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1887 Scovill Manf'g Co. Catalogue Photographic Goods, June 1887, David Tucker & Co., 410 & 412 Main Street (Buffalo, NY), dated June 1887, ~5¾"x9¼", 238pp (complete scan)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1887 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 22, Photographic Printing Methods, Rev. W. H. Burbank, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1887, ~6"x9", book section: 221pp; advertising section 21pp (covers; titles; table of contents; ads)

1888 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, ~5¾"x9¼", 120pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1888 An Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Cameras, Lenses and Other Apparatus for Photography, W.H. Walmsley & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), dated April 1, 1888, ~6"x9¼", 120pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1888 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), dated May 1888, ~5¾"x9¼", 120pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1888 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), distributed by John Wanamaker (Philadelphia, PA), dated June 1888, ~5¾"x9¼", 120pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1888 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), distributed by C.H. Codman & Co. (Boston, MA), dated September 1888, ~5¾"x9¼", 122pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1888 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), dated November 1888, ~5¾"x9¼", 122pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1888 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 24, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1888, C.W. Canfield, ed.; Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1887, ~6"x9", 329pp & 87pp ads (title, index & ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1888 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 25, The Photographic Negative, Rev. W. H. Burbank, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1888, ~6"x9", book section: 198pp & 19pp ads (covers; titles; table of contents; ads ai-axix)

1888 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 26, The Photographic Instructor, Prof. Charles Ehrmann, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1888, ~6"x9", book section: 196pp & 32pp ads (covers; titles; table of contents; ads)

1889 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated January 1889, ~6"x9", 124pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1889 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated March 1889, ~6"x9", 124pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1889 Photographic Materials, James W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), dated 1889, ~6"x9", 140pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1890 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated 1890 (no cover but was bound with an Anthony catalog dated Jan. 1, 1890), ~5¾"x9", 136pp (with order blank) (preface & pages 01-99)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1890 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated March 1890, ~6"x9", 140pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1890 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Oscar Foss (San Francisco, CA), dated June 1890, ~6"x9", 136pp (with order blank) (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1890 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 32, Practical Photomicrography, Rev. Andrew Pringle, Scovill Mfg. Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1890, ~6"x9", book section: 194pp; preface: 9pp; index: 9pp; ads: 19pp (complete)

1890 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 33, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1890, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1889, ~6"x9", 17pp ads front; 338pp & 116pp ads back (title, index & ads)

c.1890 Photographic Materials Illustrated, John Wanamaker (Philadelphia, PA), undated c. 1890, ~6x9", 32pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1891 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated January 1891, ~5¾x9", 140pp. (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1891 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Sargent & Co. (Cleveland, OH), dated April 1891, ~5⅞"x9⅛", 122pp. & 15pp. instructions & 5pp. index (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1891 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), distributed by Horgan, Robey & Co. (Boston, MA), dated June 1891, ~6"x9", 140pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1892 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 40, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1892, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1891, ~6"x9", 363pp & 141pp ads  (title, index & ads)

1892 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated January 1892, ~5¾"x9", 139pp & 14pp introduction & 7pp index (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1892 How to Make Photographs and Descriptive Price List, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated 1892, estimated abt. June 1892, ~5½"x9", 155pp & 14pp introduction & 7pp (5pp present) index (complete except for covers and first and last pages)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1893 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 43, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1893, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1892, ~6"x9", 393pp & 167pp ads  (title, index & ads)

1894 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 47, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1894, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1893, ~5¾"x8¾", 417pp & 140pp ads  (title, index & ads)

1894 Wilson's Cyclopaedic Photography, Edward L. Wilson (New York, NY), copyright 1894, ~6¾"x8¾", 526pp

1895 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 50, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1895, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1894, ~6"x9", 438pp & 94pp ads  (title, index & ads)

c.1895 Catalogue of Photographic Goods and All Articles Pertaining to Photographyed, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), undated c.1895, ~9¼"x11½", 192pp (complete scan)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1896 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 53, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1896, Walter E. Woodbury, ed.; The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1895, ~6"x9", 370pp & 123pp ads (title, index & ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1896 How to Make Photographs and a Descriptive Catalogue of Photographic Materials Illustrated, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), dated 1896, ~5¾"x9", 156pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

c.1896 Photographic Advice, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), undated c. 1896, ~7½"x5½", 84pp (complete)

1897 Scovill's Photographic Series No. 57, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1897, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1896, ~6"x9", 370pp & 130pp ads (title, index 1-9 & ads 1-130)

c.1897 Title Unknown (because of missing cover) Catalog, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), undated c.1897, ~7½"x5½", 88pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1898 Scovill's Photographic Series No. ?, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1898, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1897, ~6"x9", preface ads 17pp, 370pp & 139pp ads (preface ads, title, contents & ads 1-139)

c.1898 Photographic Advice, Kelly Optical Co. (New York, NY), undated c. 1898, ~7½"x5¼", 48pp (complete)

c.1898 Photographic Advice, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), undated c. 1898, ~7½"x5½", 64pp (complete)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1899 Scovill's Photographic Series No. ?, The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1899, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1898, ~6"x9", 370pp & 125pp ads (title, index 1-10 & ads 1-125)

1900 The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1900 (No longer in Scovill's Photographic Series), The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1899, ~6"x9", 370pp & 116pp ads (title, index 1-10 & ads 1-116)

1901 The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1901, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1900, ~5¾"x8¾", 345pp & 81pp ads (title, index 1-10 & ads 1-81)

1902 The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1902, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1902, ~6"x9", 347pp & 74pp ads (pages 1-9 & ads 0-74)

1903 The American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times-Bulletin Almanac for 1903, The Anthony & Scovill Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1902, ~6"x9", 345pp & 88pp ads (covers, pages 1-9 & complete ads)

1904 The American Annual of Photography and Photographic (Times-Bulletin) Almanac for 1903, The Anthony & Scovill Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1903, ~6"x9", 350pp & 64pp ads (covers, pages 1-9 & complete ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1904 Photographic Goods 1842-1904, The Anthony & Scovill Co. (New York, NY), 1904, ~6¼"x9¾", Softcover Cover with 7 interior catalogs A-G:  Catalog A Lenses and Shutters, 41pp.,  Catalog B Prof. Cameras, Stands & Attachments, 23pp.,  Catalog C Hand & View Cameras, etc., 35pp.,  Catalog D Prof. Studio Sundries, 21pp.,  Catalog E General Photographic Sundries, 57pp.,  Catalog F Chemicals, Films, Papers and Plates, 27pp.,  Catalog G Photo Engravers' Supplies, 28pp. (covers, complete catalogs A-E, covers and indexes only for catalogs F and G)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1906 The American Annual of Photography and Photographic (Times-Bulletin) Almanac for 1906, W. Lincoln Adams and Spencer Hord, eds., Styles & Cash, pubs. (New York, NY), copyright 1905, ~6"x9", 354pp & 53pp ads (covers, pages 1-9 & complete ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1906 Photographic Catalogue, The Anthony & Scovill Co. (Binghamton, NY), 1906, ~6"x9", 198pp (complete scan)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1910 Ansco, Ansco Co. (Binghamton, NY), dated 1910, ~5½"x7¾", 62pp (complete)

1911 The American Annual of Photography 1911, Volume 25, The American Annual of Photography, Inc. (New York, NY), general sales agents George Murphy, Inc. (New York, NY), copyright 1910, ~5¾"x8¾", 328pp & 60pp ads (covers, pages 1-7 & complete ads)

1913 The American Annual of Photography 1913, Volume 27, The American Annual of Photography, Inc. (New York, NY), general sales agents George Murphy, Inc. (New York, NY), copyright 1912, ~5¾"x8¾", 328pp & 48pp ads (covers, pages 1-7 & complete ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1914 Ansco 1914-15, Ansco Co. (Binghamton, NY), dated 1914, ~5½"x7¾", 56pp (complete)

1915 Ansco 1915-16, Ansco Co. (Binghamton, NY), dated 1915, ~5½"x7¾", 64pp (complete)

1917 The American Annual of Photography 1917, Volume 31, The American Annual of Photography, Inc. (New York, NY), general sales agents George Murphy, Inc. (New York, NY), copyright 1916, ~5¾"x8¾", 296pp & 41pp ads (covers, pages 1-7 & complete ads)

1923 The American Annual of Photography 1923, Percy Y. Howe, ed., George Murphy, Inc., pubs. (New York, NY), copyright 1922, ~5¾"x8¾", 196pp & 40pp ads (covers, pages 1-7 & complete ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1924 The American Annual of Photography 1924, Percy Y. Howe, ed., George Murphy, Inc., pubs. (New York, NY), copyright 1923, ~5¾"x8¾", 196pp & 40pp ads (covers, pages 1-7 & complete ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1926 Ansco Cameras, Photographic Equipment, Ansco Photoproducts, Inc. (Binghamton, NY), dated July 1, 1926, ~6"x9", 32pp (complete)

c.1930 Agfa Ansco Photographic Materials and Professional Equipment, Agfa Ansco Corporation (Binghamton, NY), undated c. 1930, ~5½"x7¾", 48pp (complete)

1931 The American Annual of Photography 1917, Volume XLV, The American Annual of Photography, Inc. (New York, NY), copyright 1930, ~5¾"x8¾", 292pp & 64pp ads (covers, pages 1-3 & complete ads)

1932 The American Annual of Photography 1932, Volume 46, The American Annual of Photography, Inc. (New York, NY), general sales agents George Murphy, Inc. (New York, NY), copyright 1931, ~5¾"x8¾", 294pp & 45pp ads (covers, pages 1-7 & complete ads)     -     .html version     -     .pdf version

1938 Photographic Materials for Professional Use, Catalog 56P, Agfa Ansco Corporation (Binghamton, NY), dated August 15, 1938, ~6½"x8½", 48pp (complete)

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