The Scovill Mfg. Co. was founded in 1802 in Waterbury, CT. In the early years they produced brass buttons, sewing hardware, and other brass and copper items. The factory was formerly a grist mill on the Mad River at Silver Street

In the fall of 1839, J.M.L Scovill and William H. Scovill of the Scovill Company started the first production of silvered plates in the united States. The Scovill company was well established as a leading manufacturer of Brass and gilt buttons and copper hardware items, and thus had the skills readily available for making daguerreotype plates. J.M.L Scovill was quoted to have said in Dec. 1839 to W.H. Scovill "The Frenchman here says the plates cannot be made here and he calculates to make a fortune by importing them from France.. we will try to disappoint him."

By 1840, After receiving information on the manufacturer from a new york customer and implementing improvements like improving the quality of copper by importing it from England, Scovill produced plates of equal quality of the plates shipped from Paris.

In 1843, Scovill received a diploma from the Exhibition of Manufacturers of the American Institute of New York testifying to the quality of improvements that they have made.

in 1846, they opened a store in New York to accommodate the growing demand for daguerreotype products, carrying a full line of hardware and photographic supplies. It soon became the leading photographic supply depot in the country.

In 1850, Scovill was incorporated as Scovill Manufacturing Company.

In, 1867 the American Optical Company was acquired by Scovill as a division of the Scovill Company. The American Optical Co. manufactured box cameras, stereoscopes and accessories, and had developed an international reputation due to its high quality and low cost of American wood craftsmanship.

In 1889, one of the officers of Scovill took over the company, and the name was changed to Scovill & Adam's.

In 1902, Scovill merged with E. & H.T. Anthony Company.

In 1907, The Scovill & Anthony Company changed their name to a shorted abbreviated version "ANSCO".

The company still exists today with headquarters in Clarkesville, Georgia manufacturing fasteners.

---

For listing of Scovill made cameras Click Here

# 1164
2015-06-09 08:02:04