Anderson, J. A.
Chicago, Illinois
Unknown Model Name Front Focus Cone Bellows View
J.A. Anderson & Co.:
Jonas Anton Anderson (November 1842 - September 17, 1911), not to be confused with the Swedish John A. Anderson, photographer 1885-1900 of the Rosebud Indian Reservation in Nebraska. He immigrated from Norway to the United States in 1849, settling in Chicago in 1851. He founded J. A. Anderson & Co. in 1869, according to his ad in The American Photo Engraver, Vol. 3 No. 6, p. 3 (online through Googlebooks), manufacturing photographic apparatus. His son, Walter E., took over the company by 1900.
From: Origin, Growth, and Usefulness of the Chicago Board of Trade, Historical Publishing Co., 1885-6, page 282:
J. A. Anderson, Manufacturer of Photographic Apparatus, Nos. 63 and 65 East Indiana Street.
- A prominent house in Chicago engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of photographic necessaries and appliances is that of Mr. J. A. Anders, Nos. 63 and 65 East Indiana Street. This business was founded by the present proprietor in 1870, at No. 212 Illinois Street, and in the following year the premises were destroyed by the great fire. Mr. Anderson promptly recommenced business at his present location. The premises are very commodious and are equipped with all the latest improved machinery and appliances necessary for the systematic production of photographic apparatus, employment being given to about forty highly skilled and experienced operatives. The photographic supplies manufactured by Mr. Anderson are unsurpassed for quality, ingenuity of construction, workmanship, and general excellence, by those of any other first-class firm in this country or Europe, and in consequence of their unsurpassed superiority their sale is annually increasing. The system which prevails in the factory indicates the most careful supervision, while the judgment and ability displayed in the manufacture of the photographic apparatus indicate that Mr. Anderson is thoroughly conversant with every detail of this scientific business, and fully acquainted with the wants and requirements of the profession. His is a native of Norway, but has resided in Chicago since 1851, and is greatly respected by the community for his unswerving honor and integrity. The just manner in which this business is conducted, as well as the superior quality and reliability of the stock are guarantees sufficiently obvious why photographers requiring a complete outfit in the trade would do well by giving their orders to this representative house.
In 1900, Anderson & Co. manufactured the Mammoth Railroad Camera, which had a plate size of 4 ½x8 feet, and was the largest camera ever constructed at that time. The company J. A. Anderson is not listed along with Jas. H. Smith, Burke & James and other photographic suppliers in the December 15, 1901 Factory Inspectors of Illinois.
They appear to have mostly manufactured their own design of cameras, such as Anderson's New View Box, which appears to be a model unique to Anderson. Likewise, their studio cameras, having a configuration similar to many other manufacturers, have details that set them apart from the other manufacturers (see Anderson's Extra Quality Portrait Camera and the Success-like Studio Camera). However, at least one studio view camera extant bears an Anderson metal plate on its front standard and a Scovill Mfg. Co. stamp on the rails. The style of this studio camera appears to be a common Scovill type, the most distinctive feature being a deeply recessed front standard. So, at least in that one case, it appears that Anderson also bought the camera from Scovill, slapped on their own label, and re-sold it. Other studio view cameras marked Anderson are of a different, perhaps their own, design/configuration, e.g., Anderson's Extra Quality Portrait Camera and the Success-like Studio Camera, featured on this web site.
The
International Annual Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. III,
1890-1891, ads p. 31
Date Introduced: ;
Years Manufactured: c. 1890-1892 Anderson cameras
are rare, compared to the major manufacturers, such as E. & H.T. Anthony
or Scovill. This camera is pictured
(but not actually advertised) in general ads
for the Anderson company in
three separate years of Anthony's Annual (see below). Its
model name is not known since no models are mentioned in the ads. It is almost a dead
ringer for the
Scovill St.
Louis Variation 1, yet the Anderson camera is
not precisely identical to the St. Louis, nor is its engravings
identical to those of the St. Louis, from which we may conclude that
Anderson manufactured the camera rather than purchased it from Scovill
for resale. References:
Back to Miscellaneous Camera Companies
Construction: front focus
via rack and pinion (one gear track on center base rail); single
swing as pictured; rising front; reversing by removable back
Materials:
Sizes Offered:
Notes:
The International Annual Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. II,
1889-1890,
W. J. Harrison and A. H. Elliot, eds., E. & H. T.
Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), ads p. 30 (does
not mention specific camera models)
The International Annual 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. 31
The Internation Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin", Vo. IV,
June, 1891, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), ads p.47
The International Annual Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, Vol. V,
1892
