Scientific American
Volume 12, Issue 21
May 20, 1865


Improved Camera Stand.

Individuals who are seized with a desire to transmit their interesting countenances to posterity often purchase the distinction by an expenditure of much time and patience; besides the wear on the nerves is so great, to sensitive people, that the pictures show it, and the operator is blamed for causes, as bankrupts say, “wholly beyond his control”
We call the attention of the photographic fraternity to this improvement in stands. When they approach their victim, twist his head on one side and apply the tongs behind, which are intended to hold him rigidly immovable, they say, “put on a pleasant expression if you please,” which is highly probable, with two pincers nipping one in the neck. The victim, therefore, looks anguish unutterable, and by the time the operator has reached his camera again, the pleasant expression which he imparted by twisting the neck of the patient,. has wholly vanished, so that he has to go back and do his work all over again; by constant twisting and turning, the neck of the unfortunate victim gets so pliable and his brain so addled, that he resigns himself to his fate, and his face expresses such exquisite imbecility that his family indignantly disown the prototype.
The stand here shown is designed to facilitate the business of adjustment, and is conveniently arranged for its purpose, and will put an end to the sufferings we have set forth above. The inventor provides a frame, A, which has a supplementary frame, B, inside. This latter has legs or pawls which work in racks, C, on the legs of the frame, A. These pawls serve to sustain the camera in place, and the forward set are united by a cross, against which a spring bears to keep them in gear, so that they cannot become displaced accidentally. They may, at any time, be removed from the rack for purposes of adjustment by acting the knob, D. The vertical adjustment of the camera is further aided by moving the projecting lever, B, which causes the back part of the frame to be elevated. Thus all the necessary movements are provided for, and the business of the photographer will be much improved by the adoption of it. This invention was patented through the Scientific American Patent Agency on the 14th of February, 1865, by James Scouler, 830 Vallejo street, San Francisco, Cal., address him at that place for further information.

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