American Optical Petite Camera

American Optical Co., Scovill Mfg. Co., props.

Petite Camera

Scovill Dry Plate Making for Amateurs Catalog, 1886, p. 22

3 ¼ x 4 ¼

Label, metal (probably nickel-plated brass: "American Optical Comp'y - New York - Scovill Mfg. Co., Prop't'rs"
Below that, a stamp near the top of the lens board, but partially covered by the lens flange: "Amer. Optical Co. - Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y."

At the rear end of the platform - two stamps: 1) "10", a serial number or an assembly number, and 2) "Amer. Optical Co. - Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y.", the same stamp that is on the lens board.

With the ground glass frame down, a "10" is near the top of the rear standard

With the ground glass frame up, another stamp of "Amer. Optical Co. - Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y."

Another Example
3 ¼ x 4 ¼

Stamp on the top of the ground glass frame: "Amer. Optical Co., Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y."

Near Lever: stamp, large digit "2", assembly number on platform of rear standard.
Bottom: stamps at the end of the platform: "Amer. Optical Co., Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y.", and another "2" assembly number.

Manufacturer: American Optical Co. New York, NY factory
Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1885-1894
Construction: back focus via push-pull; single swing; reversing by two tripod mounts;
Materials: mahogany body; folding cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 3 ¼x4 ¼
Notes:

There are four models of view camera ever manufactured (other than the Midget Pocket, a combination view and box camera not included on this list of four) by American Optical, Scovill or Scovill & Adams. All described as a bicycle camera or suitable for bicycling, except the Petite, which is for Vassar pupils (women), they were (in order of increasing price):
--the Ne Plus Ultra Bicyclist's Camera/Outfit (Outfit: camera, Waterbury lens, plate holder, bicycle attachment, canvas bag = $10.00),
--the Scovill's Pocket Bicycle Camera/Outfit (Outfit: camera, with S.M.C. focusing lens, plate holder, bicycle attachment, = $12.00; apparently the canvas bag is not included in this outfit)
--the Petite Camera/Outfit ($12 camera & plate holder w/o lens, $17 same with tripod and canvas bag) and
--the Mignon Camera/Outfit (Outfit: camera, plate holder, bicycle attachment, canvas bag = $25.00 w/o lens; $50.00 with; $70.00 with Morrison lens)

Unfortunately, Scovill never saw fit to picture the Ne Plus Ultra Bicyclist's Camera/Outfit or the Mignon Camera. The Petite has a large engraving that can be matched to a camera. Likewise, the Pocket Bicycle Camera, despite a very small engraving on top of a large wheel bicycle, can also be matched. The identity of the Ne Plus Ultra Bicycle Camera and the Mignon Camera are based on price, assuming that the better made camera would be the expensive Mignon.

Scovill catalogs do not indicate whether The Petite Camera was made by Scovill (New Haven factory, formerly the Samuel Peck factory) or American Optical (New York City factory). However, the one example examined is made of dark mahogany on dark, stained cherry wood, all French polished, Ni-plated brass hardware, and the screw slots are aligned in one direction (either horizontal or vertical), characteristics which I associate with American Optical materials and workmanship. This conclusion is confirmed since the camera is also stamped: "Amer. Optical Co., Scovill Mfg. Co., N.Y." on the top of the ground glass frame, and on the rear of the platform. The example camera nearly matches the catalog engravings, even down to the projecting tripod mount on the side, but they differ in one way. The engraving has an L-shaped hardware all on the front, while the example camera has hardware that wraps around the side. The references state that the #2 1888 Instantaneous Outfit was a Petite Camera, with shutter and case.

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