Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Henry Clay Camera with Custom Back, c.1896
American Optical Company, Scovill & Adams Co., props., NY.
See also:
• The Henry Clay Camera
• The Henry Clay Regular Camera
• The Henry Clay Stereoscopic Camera
• Henry Clay 2nd Camera
• Henry Clay Camera Research
• Assessment Of The Sliding Drop-Bed Design
• Timeline of Important 1890s Self-Casing cameras
Return to the Self-Casing Cameras page
Copyright ©2003 - 2026 by Rob Niederman - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Occasionally, specialized Henry Clay cameras were made to order for clientele. The example here is the only known variation with extended rear body to hold a custom mahogany case.
The custom fitted case can hold five plate-holders, and can be inserted into the rear of the camera.
As a side note, although Henry Clay cameras are high quality instruments, they have notoriously cruddy body leather. This camera is nearly flawless, only having very minor scuffs.
The shutter is a Prosch Triplex with an unmarked rapid rectilinear lens, and the mahogany case is well made and beautifully finished.
In my opinion, it is one of the finest Henry Clay cameras I have encountered ... well ... a close call with the brown leather Henry Clay Regular.