E. & H.T. Anthony

Amateur Equipment  or Outfit (#'s 1-8B), Variation 1 (c. 1884-1885)

Ebonized finish, no lensboard (No. 1 4x5 , no swing)



 
 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1884-May 1885
Construction: rear focus via push-pull; optional swing; reverse by changing holder position or by two tripod mounts; 3-piece lensboard if present
Materials: optional body; cherry base track; black fabric bellows; brass hardware
Sizes Offered: (A=No Swing; B=Single Swing=N.P.A; #1/1A=4x5; #1.5/1.5B=4.25x6.5; #2/2B=5x8; #4=vertical 4x5; #6=#5 w/ lens; #7B=6.5x8.5; #8B=8x10
Notes: Generally, the models without letters have simple, removable ground glass backs; the A models have hinged ground glass backs but no swing, and the B models have hinged backs and single swing (however, the #1 no letters in the 1887 catalog has a hinged back).  There may have been differences in woods used that is not apparent in engravings, but that changed over time.   In 1884, #'s 1B, 2B, 5, 6, 7B and 8B (the models w/ swing) are the same as the N.P.A camera, and are referred to as such in Anthony literature; for 1884, #'s 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 are non-folding bed and ebonized (black painted.  The 1884 Haworth catalog says "ebonized or stained", which probably means these were equivalent.  The May 1885 Anthony catalog only says "stained", but really means painted) finish, but by 1887, they appear to fold, and by 1889, the designation Amateur Equipment was dropped, and these non-mahogany models became the Manhattan Camera; #'s 4, 5, and 6 in 1884 are mahogany w/ folding bed, and #7 is ebonized w/ folding bed. Compare these numbers with American Optical's #1-8 - they refer to the same sizes.   An "Equipment" just refers to the camera, while an "Outfit" would include a wooden case, tripod, and possibly a dark cloth.
     The May, 1885 catalog refers to the "stained" or ebonized versions, whereas the September, 1885 lists all Amateur Outfits as mahogany.

References:
Haworth Catalog, 1884, p. 41-44
Amateur Photographic Equipments & Materials, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., New York, NY, May 1885, pp. 4-9
 

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