Scovill Mfg. Co., Waterbury, CT & New Haven, CT

 

Leader Camera

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c. 1896
Construction:
Materials:
Sizes Offered: 5x7; 5x8; 6½x8½, 8x10
Notes:

     The Leader Camera are advertised on the American Annual of Photography and Photographic Times Almanac for 1896-1898 "Bargain Page" only, which says "First quality American Optical's Cameras" (but some are made by Scovill rather than American Optical).  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. 

     The Leader is not described in words nor is there an engraving in Scovill/American Optical catalogs.  The comparison to the Elite View or Compact View is the best indication of what it may look like.

     There is a camera very much like the Elite View, only being made of higher quality mahogany and more finely finished with the French polish technique.  Examples are shown here.  There seem to be many of these models extant, but it remains to find a description of the Leader to know for certain that that is its model name.

References:
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")
 

 

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