E. & H.T. Anthony & Co.
N.P.A. Type Camera with Brass Guides
5 x 8"
Label,
metal just below the lens board on the front standard: "E. * H.T.
Anthony & Co. - Manufacturers. - 591.Broadway.N.Y."
Date Introduced: - ;
Years Manufactured: c.1885 This is essentially the
N.P.A.
Variation 1, but with the addition of a unique feature present
in none of Anthony's usually amateur cameras: robust brass guides along
the base. Such brass guides were usually a sign of a professional
grade or early (<1885) camera, since they are more costly to produce
than merely having wood on wood contact. But no Anthony catalogs
going back to May, 1885 have any mention of brass guides (and they would
have been mentioned as an expensive feature). The presence of
Anthony's patent clamp hooks (No. 307,965; Nov 11, 1884) make the camera
no earlier than Nov. 1884. The best guess is
that this is an early version of the N.P.A. from 1884-1885. The metal Anthony label is the only marking on the camera. The
list of patent dates customarily stamped at the back of the platform
frame is not present, despite the camera having been made using patent
features, e.g., Anthony's patent hooks to fix the platform open
and make it rigid. The reference below does not name the model except
that it is Anthony and has a mahogany box. The above camera
qualifies on both counts.
Construction: rear
focus via push-pull; none or single swing;
reversing by two tripod mounts;
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base;
black fabric bellows; brass hardware; French polish finish
Sizes Offered: at least
5x8
Notes:
