Scovill Mfg. Co.
Waterbury, CT & New
Haven, CT
Leader View Camera
Buchanan's Complete Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Supplies,
W. P. Buchanan (Philadelphia, PA), 1893, p. 39 Date Introduced: - ;
Years Manufactured: c. 1893
The only catalog description of the Leader View Camera in 1893 is
shown above, and, being in a catalog that has more than one
manufacturer, it is not even certain that the description refers to the
same Leader View Camera later mentioned in the Scovill & Adams
Annuals, but probably. Until seeing this description, I had
thought that the Leader was identical with the model I had called
American Optical Waterbury-Type Camera. The
Leader View Camera are advertised on the
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for
1896-1898 "Bargain Page", which
states that they are "First quality American
Optical's Cameras". This "Bargain Page" seems
to be the last reference for a number of models, which implies 1) that
Scovill & Adams discontinued a number of models around 1896, and 2) that
the "Bargain Page" was an outlet for the left-over stock of these
discontinued models.
The non-bargain price of the Leader in 1896 is stated to be $24
for either 5x7 or 6½x8½. Compare this with the 1896 price of a
Waterbury 5x8 ($16.50); the
Elite View
6½x8½
($22), the
Leader
($24), the
Compact View
6½x8½
($25), the
Centennial View
6½x8½ ($36);
the Star
View 6½x8½
($36), the
Flammang
Revolving Back Camera
6½x8½
($40), the
Irving
6½x8½
($40), and the
Manifold
Camera 6½x8½
($45). The Leader, therefore, may be assumed to be slightly
more as complex and as finely finished as the Elite View, and
slightly less complex and finely finished as the Compact View.
It must be a very rare or unmarked camera type. References:
Back to American Optical
Co. / Scovill Mfg. Co. (alphabetical)
Construction: front
focus only, rack and pinion focus, single swing, removable and
reversible back
Materials:
mahogany with French polish finish, nickel-plated
hardware
Sizes Offered: 5x7; 5x8;
6½x8½, 8x10
Notes:
Buchanan's Complete Illustrated Catalogue of
Photographic Supplies, W. P. Buchanan (Philadelphia, PA), 1893, p.
39 (Internet Archive)
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for
1896, The Scovill &
Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1895, ads p. 42
("Bargain Page")
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for
1897, The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY),
1896, ads p. 61 ("Bargain
Page")
American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times
Almanac for 1898,
The Scovill & Adams Co. (New York, NY), 1897, ads
p. 115 ("Bargain Page")
