THE SUNART
JUNIOR
Sunart Photo Company, Rochester, New York 1897 - 1899
3-1/2 x 3-1/2
The Sunart Junior (or Sunart
Jr.)
was introduced in 1897, during Sunart Photo's last
years before being acquired by Seneca Camera Company in 1899. In 1898, the Sunart
Junior and Sunart Junior No. 1 could be had as a
"Special" model (designated Sunart Junior Special and Sunart
Junior No. 1 Special) equipped with either a Rapid Rectilinear ($12) or with a Zeiss Anastigmat with iris
diaphragm ($30). At $5, it was the least expensive camera in Sunart's lineup for 1899, offered in 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 (Sunart Junior), 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 (Sunart
Junior No. 1), the price being the same for either format. By 1899, its last
year of production, the Sunart Junior No. 2 was
added, also priced at $5 like the Sunart Junior and Sunart Junior No. 1.
The Sunart Junior shown here is believed to be an earlier
example, having the Sunart name stamped into the side
door's interior instead of the circular ivoroid tag
typically seen on most examples and as reflected in company catalogues
beginning in 1898:
The shutter release
is located on the right side near the front, which was later located to the
front panel adjacent to the lens opening:
And, as stated
in Sunart's ads, the camera was simple to operate.
The lever above the lens opening could be swung in either direction to set the
shutter for Time or Instantaneous exposures:
With the newly
established Seneca Camera Company acquiring Sunart in
1899, the Sunart Juniors had a rather short run and
this is reflected in the few seen today. Despite the rather low cost of the Sunart Junior in comparison to the company's
more sophisticated models, it can be just as difficult to find.
For more information
on other Sunart
models and antique cameras by other
makers, click on the link below:
