The Henry Clay Stereo Camera was manufactured by American Optical Co. from 1892 to 1899.

Selected inputs from an 1893 edition of How to make Photographs by Goodman: The first illustration shows one of these cameras closed and you will observe there is no external opening for finder lens or anything to indicate that the leather covered case contains the appliances which go to make up an instantaneous camera. This camera measures eight inches high nine inches long and five inches wide its weight is about five pounds. It has a screw plate underneath so that it may be used with a tripod. It has a door in the back of the case and through that opening the image thrown by the lenses may be seen on the ground glass focusing screen. The second illustration shows the appearance of the camera when open. The pair of Optimus Lenses is fitted with a triplex stereoscopic shutter with pneumatic release made by the Prosch Manufacturing Company. The camera is furnished with a focusing scale and a reversible finder. Either half of the stereo negatives when cut in two are of a size suitable for making lantern slides from. This camera may also be used to take a single picture of the size of the ground glass focusing screen 5x7 inches either vertical or horizontal. In the former case the reversible finder comes into use The septum which divides the camera inside is arranged so that it may be easily taken out, the stereo lenses are mounted on a removable front, and an extra front is furnished on which may be placed any lens of not over seven and a half inches equivalent focus.

1883 Price with a pair of Rapid Rectilinear Lenses and Prosch Stereoscopic Shutter with Pneumatic Release $75.00

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Historic Camera Value and Rating - Estimating Overall Worth (about)

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2015-06-03 11:08:20