Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Antique & 19th Century Cameras
Antique Oak Detective Camera, early 1890s
Scovill & Adams Company. NY.
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The Scovill Antique Oak Detective has a beautiful wood finish. It was less expensive than the leather covered version. Focusing is done by turning a brass knob located on the top of the body.
The Best Cheap Camera In The Market. One of the most beautiful of all pre-1900 box form cameras is the Antique Oak Detective made by the Scovill & Adams Company. The camera is constructured of oak woods, instead of more traditional mahogany or cherry, finished in a light golden oak color.
It was an inexpensive 4 x 5" plate camera offered to youths and "those who want to make a moderate investment in photography applicances." It was also advertised as "certainly lighter and more compact than any other cheap detective camera in the market."
By 1895, a more expensive No. 2 camera was offered with a leather covering for $12. In the same reference, the original exposed wood model became the No.1 Antique Oak for $10.
The Antique Oak Detective camera was succeeded by the Knack Detective.
A simple string-set rotary shutter is inside the wood front. The shutter is not 'self-capping' when cocked for use. To prevent the glass plate from being exposed, the camera was sold with a felt plug.