E. & H.T. Anthony

N.P.A. Camera, Variation 3

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1898-1900
Construction: rear focus via push-pull; none or single swing; reversing by two tripod mounts; plywood lensboard
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=6.5x8.5; 8B=8x10
Notes: The N.P.A. Camera had a long run of production, and went through a number of changes.  The O.N.A. Equipment is stated in catalogs to consist of the N.P.A. Camera.  The O.N.A. Equipment included a lens, whereas the catalog prices of the N.P.A. did not include a lens (but included a case, tripod, and plateholder).  The following variations of the N.P.A. (O.N.A.) can be found:
Variation 1 (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 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.
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.
References (Variation 3):
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., New York, NY, January, 1891, p. 7 (O.N.A., pp. 4-5)
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., New York, NY, August, 1895, p. 11 (O.N.A., pp. 8-9)[In this catalog, the O.N.A. camera is depicted as both Variation 1 and Variation 2, while the N.P.A. camera is depicted as Variation 2]
T.H. McCollin (Philadelphia) Catalog, 1897, p. 50 (top engraving)
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]

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