Blair Camera Co.
Field View Cameras
Anthon
Reversible Back, Improved, Variation 2
Date Introduced: - ;
Years Manufactured: c.1890-1894
Construction: front focus
via rack and pinion (two gear tracks on top of base rails);
single or double swing; reverse by removable back; three-piece lensboard
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base;
black fabric bellows; nickeled or brass
hardware
Sizes Offered: 1500=4x5; 1501=4.25x5.5;
1502=5x7; 1503=5x8; 1504=6.5x8.5; 1505=8x10
Notes: The base is in three sections, the
first is removable; cases came in two sizes; trim could be made to
order. The illustrated camera above has a 5x8 back, but is big
enough to fit a 6.5x8.5 back. In addition, it has the Blair patent
extension (wood version), which extends the draw about 3" and increases
the format to 8x10. The camera below is the 8x10 size, which could
be increased to 10x12 with a patent extension. The Blair 1893
catalog states that the Reversible Back Camera and the Champion
Reversible Back Camera are superceded in design.
Variation 1
has a simpler base design and a center pivot rear swing.
Variation 3
merely has different hardware than Variation 2. A Variation 2
having non-nickeled hardware is shown below.
References:
Oscar Foss (San Francisco) Catalog, 1890, p. 3-5
Anthony's Photographic Bulletin XXV No. 5, May 1 1894, p. xi
