Anthony Victor, 1889 – c.1897

E. & H.T. Anthony is one of America’s oldest makers and the Victor is one of the company's traditional front focusing field cameras. This is a nice 4x5 inch example (the smallest model offered) with polished mahogany body and brass hardware with draw file finish. The brass hardware on this camera indicates it is an early model because later versions often had nickel plated hardware. The Victor appeared in Anthony’s “amateur equipment” catalogues.

Unlike the camera, the Anthony marked lens is quite rare and merits a comment or two. It is sometimes improperly referred to as a semi-rectilinear (a really awful asymmetrical rapid rectilinear design) that combines achromatic and rectilinear formulas. Okay ... that might be a bit esoteric for everyone but it appeals to my desire for early photographic oddities.

In summary, the lens was an effort to be good at landscapes and portraits. But overall it pretty much stinks at everything it does. Yet the concept is bizarre and cool. I’m unsure if the lens is original to the camera, yet here it is - making the camera as a whole so dang cute.

A complete outfit including the camera, dry plate holder, lens, tripod and canvas case sold for $16.00 (about $408 in 2013 currency).