E. & H.T. Anthony & Co.

N.P.A. Camera, Variation 2

 

 

 

T. H. McCollin, 1897, p. 43

 

 

1½A = single swing 4¼x6½"

 

 

 

 

No. 2 = single swing 5x8"

Close-up of spring back hardware

Bottom

Top

Label, lower front standard

The usual four patent stamps, rear of platform, Feb. 20, 1883, Nov. 11, 1884, May 10, 1886 and March 27, 1888.

The inside of the top of the case, which reads: "S. Keenan / 101 8th St. / Parkersburg / WVA"

 

 

 

 

 

8A = single swing 8x10"

 

 

 

 

 

Date Introduced: - ; Years Manufactured: c.1891-1898
Construction: rear focus via push-pull; none or single swing; reversing by two tripod mounts; plywood lens board
Materials: mahogany body; cherry base; black fabric bellows; brass hardware; French polish finish
Sizes Offered: A=no swing; B=single swing; 1=4x5"; 1½=4¼x6½"; 1¾=5x7"; 2=5x8; 7=6½x8½; 8=8x10
Notes:
     The N.P.A. Camera had a long run of production, and went through a number of changes.  The following variations of the N.P.A. (O.N.A.) can be found:
     The N.P.A. Camera had a long run of production, and went through a number of changes.  The following variations of the N.P.A. (O.N.A.) can be found:
Variation 1A and Variation 1B (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 1A has a thumbscrew to make the folding base rigid; Variation 1B (apparently only in 4x5) has a large metal, sliding plate that makes the folding base rigid.
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.  This camera was also sold with a Schultze Photo Equipment Co. label (see Schultze N.P.A.)
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.

     The same camera could be purchased as either the N.P.A. Camera or as the O.N.A. Equipment.  That those names included the same camera is so stated in the catalogs.  Both the N.P.A. Camera or as the O.N.A. Equipment included a case, a tripod and one double plateholder.  The only difference is that the O.N.A. Equipment included a lens, whereas the N.P.A. Camera did not.

References (Variation 2):
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)[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]
The International Annual of Anthony's Photographic Bulletin Vol. VI 1894, edited by A.H. Elliott and F.P. Smith, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co. (New York, NY), 1893, p. 71 (list of view and other cameras)
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]
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., New York, NY, December, 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. 43 (top engraving) (O.N.A., pp. 50-51)[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, 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 - they simply replaced the Variation 1 engraving with one of Variation 3]
Illustrated Catalogue of Photographic Equipments and Materials for Amateurs, E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., New York, NY, November, 1898, pp. 8-9 (O.N.A., p.8, N.P.A, p.9)[In this catalog, the O.N.A. camera is depicted as 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]
Descriptive Catalogue and Price List of Photographic Apparatus (Professional Catalog), E. & H.T. Anthony & Co., New York, NY, July 1899, p. 40 (O.N.A., pp. 44-45)

 

 

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