Anthony’s Phantom Camera, c.1888

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.