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Anthony’s Phantom Camera, c.1888

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charmsomeone's loves681 of 2004Old very large Rexall Sign1945 Monogram Model Kit
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    Posted 8 years ago

    rniederman
    (347 items)

    I’ve mentioned many times my attraction to really unusual and historically interesting wood and brass cameras ... and Anthony’s Phantom Camera doesn’t disappoint. E. & H.T. Anthony was one of America’s earliest camera companies and created some of the most distinctive looking equipment ever seen.

    Introduced at the 1888 Photographer's Association of America Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Phantom was offered until 1894. It was designed along the lines of very portable, lightweight English Compact cameras. The fully reversible back and bellows turned together for landscape or portrait picture taking. The original patent for this design was granted on February 10, 1882 stating:

    “The invention consists in so attaching a bellows to the front part of the camera as to allow the bellows to turn or revolve, where by only the rear part of the camera needs to be loosened to change the position from vertical to horizontal or vice versa without altering the position of the front part of the camera, to which the lens is attached.”

    This example is Serial No.74, a 6½" x 8½" format model. Anthony's 1891 Catalogue For Amateurs lists this camera for $38; about $1,011 in year 2015 dollars. Also shown with the camera is Anthony's Universal View Finder, which could be attached to any camera in landscape and portrait orientations.

    Anthony cameras are highly prized by many collectors because of the company's historical legacy and inherently odd looking designs. A compact folding design, polished mahogany and liberal use of brass hardware gives the Phantom a look that is unique even among Anthony cameras.

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    Comments

    1. fortapache fortapache, 8 years ago
      I need to keep an eye out for something like this.
    2. PostCardCollector PostCardCollector, 8 years ago
      Very impressive and really beautiful to see!!
    3. Alan2310 Alan2310, 8 years ago
      rniederman, another very impressive museum piece of amaging device, and again the research annexed, is as much impressive and instructive.
      Thank you for sharing.
      Congrats.

      Regards
      Alan
    4. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      fortapache
      fleafinder
    5. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      NevadaBlades
      PostCardCollector
      Caperkid
    6. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      packrat-place
      Thomas
      TassieDevil
      Alan2310
      bijoucaillouvintage
    7. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      David
      Manikin
      paris1925
      Michael
    8. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      kerry10456
      vetraio50
      BB2
      shughs
    9. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      Sean
      valentino97
      SpiritBear
      Rick55
      racer4four
    10. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      Poire
      gargoylecollector
      JohnK
    11. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      pops52
      Longings
      mtg75
      sanhardin
    12. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      JImam
      crswerner
      buckethead
    13. courtenayantiques courtenayantiques, 8 years ago
      Fantastic looking camera! Thank-you for sharing all that great information!
    14. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      sugargirl
      egreeley1976
      Chevelleman69
      lee120275
    15. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      courtenayantiques
      antiquerose
      Beachbum58
    16. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      Sean
      charmsomeone
      VintageArgentina
    17. rniederman rniederman, 8 years ago
      Thanks!
      valentino97
      GeodeJem
    18. rniederman rniederman, 7 years ago
      Thanks, vintagegirl66!
    19. kikiam, 6 years ago
      What's the name of that camera aside from Anthony's Phantom camera? Does it have?
    20. rniederman rniederman, 6 years ago
      Hi kikiam ... Phantom Camera is the model name given by Anthony, the maker. It is a type of large format view camera in the English Compact style. Hope this answers your question.
    21. rniederman rniederman, 6 years ago
      Thanks, Vynil33rpm!
    22. rniederman rniederman, 6 years ago
      Thanks, Johnsmith!

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