E. & H.T. Anthony & Co.

Long Focus Clifton View Camera

Anthony & Scovill Catalog 1903, p. 59
AnClifLCat.jpg (61185 bytes)

6½ x 8½" - original bellows having a maroon leather exterior.





Celluloid label on the top of the ground glass frame.

Another 6½ x 8½" Example.  These bellows are in better shape than the rest of the camera, a clue to inspect them closely enough to tell that they are leatherette (a polymer-coated fabric) and so they are undoubtedly a recent replacement.
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-a-w.extension&holder-1600.jpg
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-a-cam.only-1500.jpg

With all swings in use.  Most of the controls are obvious, except for the two levers just under the lens board on the front standard.  Pinching them towards one another unlocks the front standard tilt, a fact that eluded me for about ten years - since the levers are pinched at right angles to the tilt, you need to simultaneously pinch the levers while manually tilting the standard with the other hand - unlikely if you don't know what the levers do.
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-a-w.swings-2000.jpg
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-b-750.jpg1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-c-750.jpg
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-d-750.jpg1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-e-750.jpg
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-f-1500.jpg

Bottom
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-bottom-1500.jpg

Top
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-top-1500.jpg

Celluloid label on the top of the ground glass frame: "E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. / New York and Chicago. / The Whitehead & Hoag Co., Newark, N.J."
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-label.upper.gg.frame-1500.jpg

This holder, though unstamped as usual for Anthony plate holders, is an E. & H.T. Anthony "Victor", which has a distinctive half-round retainer for the dark slides, and also unusual dark slides having a grip area that only runs half the width of the slide.  The reason that the plate holder is unmarked on the outside, is that it has a paper label proclaiming its name and four patent dates on the inside.
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-plate.holder.1-1500.jpg
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-plate.holder.2-1500.jpg
1251.Anthony.Clifton.Long.Focus-6x8-plate.holder.label.inside-1500.jpg

An 11x14" example with its original canvas case and plate holder.
These maroon bellows are the original leather; their almost pristine condition matches that of the camera wood and brass.
This camera lacks the usual Anthony label on the upper part of the ground glass screen.
The lens board is a modern replacement.  Also, the front extension is missing, despite having a handy case in which to reside even when not used on the camera; who could be so ditsy as to do that?
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-a-with.carrying.case&plate.holder-2000.jpg
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-a-cam.only-1500.jpg

Bellows set up for short lens with loops installed over the thumbscrews on the front standard.
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-a-cam.only.short.bellows-1500.jpg

With all swings in use.  Most of the controls are obvious, except for the two levers just under the lens board on the front standard.  Pinching them towards one another unlocks the front standard tilt, a fact that eluded me for about ten years - since the levers are pinched at right angles to the tilt, you need to simultaneously pinch the levers while manually tilting the standard with the other hand - unlikely if you don't know what the levers do.
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-b-all.swings-1500.jpg
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-b-750.jpg1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-c-750.jpg
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-d-750.jpg1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-e-750.jpg
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-f-1500.jpg

Bottom
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-bottom-1500.jpg

Top
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-top-1500.jpg

Original E. & H.T. Anthony "Zephyr" plate holder, still loaded with plates.
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-plate.holder.2-1500.jpg
1306-anthony-clifton.long.focus-11x14-plate.holder.1-1800.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1901-c.1906
Construction: front focus via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails) and rear focus via push-pull; double swing; reverse by removable back; three-piece lens board
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base track; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: 6½x8½; 8x10
Notes:
You might think that the Long Focus Clifton would be a Clifton with an extra extension to the base, but you would be wrong.  This camera has completely different rear hardware than the shorter Clifton.  The front is the same, however.  A rather specialized, expensive camera that was made for a relatively short time period, so it may be expected to be rare.

References:
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Volume XIV for 1902, edited by W. I. Scandlin, E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), copyright 1901, p. 76
Descriptive Catalogue and Price List of Photographic Apparatus
, Anthony & Scovill Co. (New York, NY)
, 1903, p. 59
Photographic Goods 1842-1904, The Anthony and Scovill Co., (New York, NY), 1904, Catalog C, p.11
Photographic Catalogue, The Anthony and Scovill Co., (Binghamton, NY), 1906, pp.49-50

 

 

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