Field Cameras of the United States: 1879-1930
From 1870-1930, an explosion in field camera design occurred in the United States. Rival firms patented designs for beds, reversing mechanisms and plate-holders at a breakneck pace. The result is documented here: a database of wood and brass wet-plate and dry-plate field view cameras manufactured in the United States between 1870-1930. Leather-covered hand and stand cameras have not been included; a database of them would have an even greater number of models and variations. Dates of manufacture have been compiled from the catalogs and literature present at the George Eastman House and other sources. [Above: a Scovill Mfg. Co. Albion outfit 6.5×8.5, with George Wale shutter and canvas case]
