The Henry Clay Camera

The Henry Clay Camera, 1891-99

American Optical Co., Scovill & Adams Co., props

When starting on a journey, for it will be found an unfailing source of pleasure, not only while on your trip, but also after returning home, finishing the pictures made from your own "point of view."
- source: "The Henry Clay Cameras" product brochure (c1890s)

The Henry Clay Camera was introduced in mid-1891, a period during which the gelatin dry-plate process was rapidly giving way to rollfilm systems in the United States. The original 1891 model sold for $50, or the equivalent of $948 in year 2000 currency.

Henry Clay Cameras were manufactured by the American Optical Company for The Scovill & Adams Company of New York and advertised as the only "Double-Shifting and Swing-Front Hand-Camera." The Henry Clay Camera, Kodak Folding Camera, Blair Folding Hawk-Eye, and Rochester Premier represented a new generation of self-casing, instantaneous folding cameras, however the Henry Clay camera was the first self-casing, dry plate camera introduced in the 1890s.

The original sliding-bed model was produced for a short period and is very rare. Examining Henry Clay Camera advertisements and references, the sliding-bed model may have been produced from mid-1891 to late 1892.

The Henry Clay Camera with Wale Pneumatic Release Shutter
Sliding-Bed Body Pattern (first model), 1891 - c.1892

The second body pattern (hinged bed design) was likely introduced in 1893 (as early as mid-1892) and built during the rest of the production through 1899.

It is unclear why Scovill & Adams abandoned the sliding-bed design in favor of a traditional hinged bedand locking strut arrangement (strut-bed). Although a sliding-bed allows the camera's weight to be directly centered over a tripod or stand, it may have been more prone to breakage and not have a "solid feel" that photographers desired.

The earliest hinged bed models used a simple brass disk to lock the focusing rails in place (shown at right). Later models used an improved locking brass screw to secure the focusing rails.

Refer to the this link for a detailed review of the sliding bed design.

Henry Clay Camera with Prosch Triplex Shutter - Swift Paragon Rapid Lens
Hinged Bed Body Pattern (early version), c.1893-94

Henry Clay Camera - extended body pattern with hinged drop-bed, c.1896. Prosch Triplex Shutter.

On occasion, specialized Henry Clay cameras were made to order for clientele. The example shown above has an extended rear body. Five platerholders are fitted into a custom mahogany case that can be inserted into the camera for storage.

See also:

Henry Clay Advertising Henry Clay Timeline

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

The Henry Clay Regular Camera Henry Clay 2d

The Henry Clay Stereoscopic Camera

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