Henry Clay Advertising

Early Henry Clay Camera
Advertising

The earliest Henry Clay reference appears in an 1891 photographic supply catalogue. It is a one-half page ad noting the camera as "Just Out." Along with engravings showing two views of the camera (closed then opened) the text elludes to a sliding-bed design:

To open the Camera, press on the knob, visible on the front. This will allow the front to slide, and then swing under the bottom of the camera.

Interestingly, 1891 was the only year in which ad text matched camera illustrations. From 1892 on, things get quite confusing because Scovill & Adams tended to use older engravings in later ads -- which may have been done to control advertising expenses. The 1892 American Annual of Photography ad (shown at left) illustrates a sliding-bed model with reversible finder mounted on the side of the body. Yet the text notes "The finder of the camera is now placed on the top of the front board ..." Further adding to the confusion are two references appearing in the 1893 issue. A user review entitled "A Splendid All Round Camera" describes and illustrates a Henry Clay Camera with bed struts while an advertisement in the same issue depicts a model from 1892 ads. The most confusing scenario would be that both models overlapped in sales dates. Confused? Wait, 1894 adds new twists.

1892 Henry Clay Camera Advertisement

An 1894 advertisement appearing on page 84 of the American Annual Of Photography illustrates the strut bed model with text describing the sliding bed. On the following page (85), the Henry Clay Stereoscopic Camera is advertised with body mounted reversible finder and sliding bed. Fortunately, ad text accurately describes the illustrated Henry Clay camera in subsequent years.

1898 Catalogue Reference

This 1892 Henry Clay Stereoscopic illustration shows the body mounted reversible finder and sliding bed features.

See also:

The Henry Clay Camera Henry Clay Camera Research

The Henry Clay Stereoscopic Camera Assessment Of The Sliding Drop-Bed Design

The Henry Clay Regular Camera Henry Clay Timeline

Henry Clay 2d

More ads can be found on the 19th Century Camera Advertising Page

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