Waterbury detective camera
Mattatuck Historical Soc (owned by)
Scovill Manufacturing Company (created by)
Frederick J. Kingsbury (previously owned by)
Scovill Manufacturing Company (created by)
Frederick J. Kingsbury (previously owned by)
circa 1888 (Date manufactured/created)
October 16 1888 (Patent date)
October 16 1888 (Patent date)
Wood, Brass, Glass, Leather
7.5 in H
X
7.25 in W
X
7.5 in D
Measurement Notes: Camera on stand
1 in H X 7.25 in W X 7.5 in D Measurement Notes: Stand for camera to sit on - resembles a small frame
1 in H X 7.25 in W X 7.5 in D Measurement Notes: Stand for camera to sit on - resembles a small frame
This object is one of the first editions of the Waterbury Detective Camera which was manufactured by Scovill Manufacturing Company from roughly 1887 through 1897. Above the lens is a stamped Patent reading "PAT OCT 16 1888". Patent number 391,236 was granted to Willard H. Fuller of Passaic, NJ who assigned this patent to Scovill Manufacturing. American Optical Company out of New York, which Scovill acquired in 1867, most likely manufactured this camera. Because of the camera's initial success, Scovill manufactured a variety of Waterbury detective cameras that were capable of taking photographs of different sizes like 4x5 or 5x7, different price points including $15 to $100, and new additions like a roll holder.
The Detective Camera was advertised widely as a concealed camera. Instead of a large and bulky view camera on a tripod, the detective camera could fit underneath the photographer's arm or on their lap. Scovill's publication How to take photographs from May 1889 describes the user and camera as "...Artists of renown and shrewd Detectives carry our Detective Cameras, and pictures are secured by them....in a manner which is perfectly simple - in fact it requires no other skill other than to get within the range of focus of the unsuspecting victim. As the party, whether man, woman or child is not aware that anything unusual is transpiring, the expression of the countenance and the pose are not arranged..." Because of the camera's simplicity it was also marketed towards women photographers.
The Detective Camera was advertised widely as a concealed camera. Instead of a large and bulky view camera on a tripod, the detective camera could fit underneath the photographer's arm or on their lap. Scovill's publication How to take photographs from May 1889 describes the user and camera as "...Artists of renown and shrewd Detectives carry our Detective Cameras, and pictures are secured by them....in a manner which is perfectly simple - in fact it requires no other skill other than to get within the range of focus of the unsuspecting victim. As the party, whether man, woman or child is not aware that anything unusual is transpiring, the expression of the countenance and the pose are not arranged..." Because of the camera's simplicity it was also marketed towards women photographers.
X71.66 a,b