E. & H.T. Anthony
N.P.A. Camera, Variation 4
Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1900-1901
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 4):
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and
Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., New York, NY, Supplement, April 16, 1900, p. 2 (1st appearance of Variation
4) (O.N.A., p. 4)
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and
Materials for Amateurs, The Anthony & Scovill Co., New York, NY, June, 1901,
p. 25 (O.N.A. Equipment, p. 29-30)
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