Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1897-1900
Construction: rear focus via push-pull; none or single swing; reversing by two tripod mounts; plywood lens board
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware; French polish finish
Sizes Offered: A=no swing; B=single swing; 2A, 2B=5x8 (photos); 7B=6½x8½; 8B=8x10
 

Notes:
     The N.P.A. Camera had a long run of production, and went through a number of changes.  The following variations of the N.P.A. (O.N.A.) can be found:
     The N.P.A. Camera had a long run of production, and went through a number of changes.  The following variations of the N.P.A. (O.N.A.) can be found:
Variation 1A and Variation 1B (c.1887-c.1891): solid front, brass hardware, ground glass frame hinges down; similar or same camera was referred to as Amateur Equipment prior to about 1887.  Variation 1A has a thumbscrew to make the folding base rigid; Variation 1B (apparently only in 4x5) has a large metal, sliding plate that makes the folding base rigid.
Variation 2 (c.1891-c.1898):  solid front, brass hardware, ground glass frame has a large, clunky spring; in the same catalog, the O.N.A. (supposed to be the same) is usually illustrated with a hinged ground glass, while the N.P.A. is illustrated with the clunky spring back.  This camera was also sold with a Schultze Photo Equipment Co. label (see Schultze N.P.A.)
Variation 3 (c.1898-c.1900): solid front, brass or nickeled hardware, ground glass frame has a low profile, flat-looking spring; in catalogs of this era, the O.N.A. (supposed to be the same) is usually illustrated with the flat hinged back, while the N.P.A. is illustrated with the old-style, clunky spring back.
Variation 4 (after April 1900): frame front, nickeled hardware, ground glass frame is spring loaded.

     The same camera could be purchased as either the N.P.A. Camera or as the O.N.A. Equipment.  That those names included the same camera is so stated in the catalogs.  Both the N.P.A. Camera or as the O.N.A. Equipment included a case, a tripod and one double plateholder.  The only difference is that the O.N.A. Equipment included a lens, whereas the N.P.A. Camera did not.

References (Variation 3):
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Materials, Thos. H. McCollin & Co. (Philadelphia, PA) undated, c. 1897, p. 43, p. 50 (N.P.A. Variation 2 p.43. O.N.A. Variation 3 p.50)
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY) February, 1898, p. 10 (O.N.A., pp. 8-9)[In this catalog, the O.N.A. camera is depicted as both Variation 2 and Variation 3, while the N.P.A. camera is depicted as Variation 2]
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), August, 1899, p. 24 (O.N.A., p. 28)[In this catalog, the O.N.A. camera is depicted as both Variation 2 and Variation 3, while the N.P.A. camera is depicted as Variation 2]