Patent Revolving Back Camera

Patent Revolving Back Camera

Camera, View


circa 1885 – 1898 (Date manufactured/created)
August 21 1883 (Patent date)
October 20 1885 (Patent date)
Wood
Large format view camera made of walnut with brass components and cloth “accordian.” Features a revolving glass plate holder so that the photographer did not have to put the camera on its side to change from a vertical to horizontal view. This particular model is known as Flammang’s Patent Revolving Back Camera, produced between about 1883 and 1898. This one also has a patent date of 1885 which indicates it is Flammang’s second design with an integral rotating back as opposed to the earlier version that was removable. (See information from web sites included in accession file.) American Optical was acquired by Scovill in 1871 and they produced Scovill’s finest quality cameras. Mathias Flammang’s patents were assigned to Scovill. Parts: A) Main body of the camera, B) Prosch Triplex Shutter C) Plastic rectangle with clipped corners, very yellowed, which fits the space for the glass photographic plate.
Gift of Colonel John W. Mitchell
2008.5.0AC
Wright, Mabel Osgood, 1859-1934