AMATEUR EQUIPMENT NO. 3

E. & H.T. Anthony & Company, 591 Broadway, New York 1885-1886

Anthony's' Amateur Equipment No. 3 in 5x8 stereoscopic, having a mono lens board with a Gasc & Charconnet, Paris portrait lens No. 33082 missing both front and rear elements, and a stereo lens board with an Anthony "EA" nickel-plated lens. At some point, someone affixed a board to the rear to facilitate using the single lens.

Sold as part of a complete field outfit consisting of a camera, holder, lens, tripod and carrying case, the series was aimed at the amateur or beginning photographer. The No. 3 was intended for stereo work, the outfit including three lenses: two for stereo work and one for single pictures. As an option, the outfit could be had without the single lens. The Amateur Equipment outfits were offered in sizes 4x5, 4-1/4x6-1/2, 5x8 and 5x8 Stereoscopic.

This version of Anthony' Amateur Equipment No. 3 features stained and varnished wood, with a non-folding bed and no tilt or swing adjustments. Having these attributes and a stereoscopic capability, places its manufacture between 1885 and 1886. The bed rail is stamped "E. & H.T. Anthony & Co." This example was previously modified, missing some of its focusing hardware and platform architecture.

Amateur Equipment outfits, cameras and their related components can be considered extremely scarce or rare, as they are seen very infrequently.

The Equipment No. 2 above, from Anthony's Illustrated Catalogue, January, 1888, is similar to the camera that would have come with the Equipment No. 3's outfit description below, also from the same catalogue: