Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Henry Clay Stereoscopic Camera, 1892-99
American Optical Company, Scovill & Adams Co., props., NY.
The American Optical Company introduced the Henry Clay Stereoscopic Camera in 1892, one year after the original Henry Clay Camera and possibly one year ahead of the No.5 Folding Kodak (1893 improved model fitted with a stereoscopic lens board). As such, the Henry Clay Stereoscopic is historically important as the first self-casing stereo camera from which other companies based their designs.
Built along the same design philosophy as the original Henry Clay Camera, the Stereoscopic was constructed of highly polished mahogany and brass trim with a red leather bellows. Although the 5 x 7" format was the only advertised size, a 5 x 8" model was available as a special-order item in 1896.
The Stereoscopic is rarer than the Henry Clay Camera and has fewer advertising and catalogue references. Based on early engravings and a few known examples, the Henry Clay Stereoscopic Camera body design was available in a sliding bed (1892) and hinged, drop bed designs.
In a review of the camera in the 1892 issue of the American Annual Of Photography And Photographic Times Almanac, Henry Clay Price, described the allure of stereoscopic photography:
It is commonly known that of all pictures, those which are arranged to give the stereoscopic effect when viewed in a stereoscope, convey the true impression of perspective and solidity. It seems strange, indeed, that of the myriads of instantaneous pictures made, so few are taken with reference to their future use in connection with the stereoscope, for it is only by that means that the idea of animated life can be conveyed. I can only assign as the reason the present almost universal use of hand cameras, and that none of them have, up to this time, been arranged for stereoscopic pictures.
The Stereoscopic was offered with a Prosch Triplex Pneumatic Release shutter from 1892 to 1897. In its last two years of production, 1898 and 1899, the camera was offered with double rectilinear Lenses fitted in a Bausch & Lomb Stereoscopic Shutter or Unicum Triplicate Shutter.
The camera shown here is the later 1898 - 99 model with a Bausch & Lomb Stereoscopic Shutter. The front focusing rails have two sets of ivorine focusing scales for stereo pair or single lens configurations. The 1898 price of $80 is equivalent to about $3,218 in year 2026 currency; a somewhat expensive camera that only serious amateurs and professionals could afford.
See also:
• The Henry Clay Camera
• The Henry Clay Camera with custom back
• The Henry Clay Regular Camera
• Henry Clay 2nd Camera
• Henry Clay Camera Research
• Assessment Of The Sliding Drop-Bed Design
• Timeline of Important 1890s Self-Casing cameras
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