UNIDENTIFIED
NOVELETTE-STYLE FIELD CAMERA
Manufacturer unknown
late 1880's
The construction of this unidentified 1/4 plate field
camera shows many similarities to E.
& H. T. Anthony's Patent Novel/Novelette View Cameras, which no doubt
inspired its design. With Anthony's introduction of their Novel/Novelette line
by 1884, this camera is believed to date to the late 1880's.
Anthony Patent Novelette (variation)
Though lacking the Anthony's refinement and adjustment
features, similarities include some hardware styles, a rising/falling front
supported by posts, a rotating rear frame which secures like the Anthony to
accommodate horizontal or vertical work and an attached hinged focusing
screen.
Although it's entirely possible this camera was homemade,
the level of craftsmanship suggest it was more factory in origin. The effort
and tooling required to fabricate hardware, along with the woodworking skills
required to build the camera and the holders, suggests its workmanship exceeded
the capabilities of most individuals working alone with basic tools.
The camera features mahogany construction with burgundy
cloth bellows, English book-style holders and has a lens marked "Crystal
4x5 LM". One of the most attractive features of this outfit, are the
fitted cases for the camera and holders which again, seems to be a step beyond
what most homemade cameras are found with.
Collector Antony Manthos noted the lip in the case doors required more
labor to produce, again suggestive of factory work:
A more plausible explanation might be, that considering
its 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 format, it was made by a small factory that produced student
or beginner cameras that were simpler and lighter in construction. As such,
these were less expensive cameras that many times bore no identification as to
the maker. These smaller companies in many instances did little advertising,
with some of their ads lacking engravings that would hinder identification
today. Most of these small firms would end up in obscurity, closing their doors
after a very brief existence.
Research thus far hasn't revealed anything about the
camera or the lens, and its maker may never be known. But it's an intriguing
take on someone's vision in pushing the limits at the entry level, while
capitalizing upon a popular and innovative design of the time.
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