E. & H.T. Anthony & Co.

Fairy Camera Variation 1

 

Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. 19, No. 4, February 25, 1888, back cover

Anthony Catalog January 1895, p. 21

8x10

Nickel-plated brass label on front standard

Stamps on base support: 1) "Pat. Feb. 20, '83" (plate holder); 2) "Pat. Mar. 28, '82 (revolving bellows) & Feb. 20, '82 (substantially the Fairy camera)"


 

Date Introduced: 1884 ; Years Manufactured: 1884-c.1895, continuing through c.1898 as Variation 2
Construction: rear focus via rack and pinion (single gear track between base rails); single or double swing; reversing by rotating bellows & back; three-piece lens board
Materials: mahogany; cherry base; black fabric bellows; nickeled hardware
Sizes Offered: 4¼x6½; 5x8 w/o stereo; 5x8 stereo; 6½x8½; 8x10
Notes:

This model is essentially an Anthony Novelette with rack and pinion focusing instead of the normal push-pull.  It was made in either mahogany or Circassian walnut.  According to the catalogs, it was to come with  a leather case for camera, and another for five plate-holders.  The rounded variation of the front standard (as above) could accommodate stereo lenses.  The non-stereo version of the front standard is not as wide and is also square.

The Fairy Variation 2 has a striking "ship's wheel"-shaped focus thumbscrew, while the Fairy Variation 1 is more plain.  The Variation 2 also had the option of being made in fancy Circassion Walnut wood, as well as the usual mahogany.  The Variation 2 also has a strengthened front rise mechanism.

The example above is mahogany.  Rather than leather, the camera above has an original Anthony-style wooden case which holds the camera and one plate holder.  

References:
E.&H.T. Anthony Photographic Bulletin #15, July 1884, pp. 338-9 introduction & sizes
Illustrated Catalogue of Amateur Photographic Equipments & Materials, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY),  May 1885, back cover (camera is pictured on the back cover, but is not mentioned inside, so no description, prices, etc.)
Illustrated Catalogue of Amateur Photographic Equipments & Materials, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY),  September 1885, back cover (camera is pictured on the back cover, but is not mentioned inside, so no description, prices, etc.)
Catalog P, Photographic Material, J. W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), 1886, p. 55
Illustrated Catalogue of Amateur Equipments and Materials, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), September 1886, pp. 16-18
Illustrated Catalogue of Amateur Photographic Equipments & Materials, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), August 1887, pp. 16-18
Illustrated Catalogue of Amateur Photographic Equipments & Materials, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), January 1888, pp. 16-18
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. I, 1888, W. J. Harrison and A. H. Elliot, eds., E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), July 1888, ads p. 72
Illustrated Catalogue of Amateur Photographic Equipments & Materials, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), January 1889, pp. 16-18
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. II, 1889, W. J. Harrison and A. H. Elliot, eds., E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), ads p. 53
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. III, 1890-1891, W. J. Harrison and A. H. Elliot, eds., E. & H. T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), ads p. 101
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), 1891, pp. 17-18
Photographic Material, Catalogue O & P, James W. Queen & Co. (Philadelphia, PA), 1891, p. 43 (as Fairy Novel)
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin Vol. VI 1894, edited by A.H. Elliott and F.P. Smith, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), 1893, p. 71 (list of view and other cameras)
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), September, 1894, p. 21-22
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin Vol. VII 1895,E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), 1894, ads p. 99
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), January 1895, p. 21-22
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), December, 1895, p. 21-22
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), August, 1896, p. 21-22
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Materials, Thos. H. McCollin & Co. (Philadelphia, PA) undated, c. 1897, pp. 45-46
not in 1899 or 1900 catalogs

 

 

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