Camera

Description: a) Large camera with adjustable stand. The camera has square frames attached to an accordion style cloth. One of the frames is immobile while the other slides back and forth on a wooden rail. On the frame that moves are two other frames that fit into each other. The camera sits upon a rectangula…

Description: a) Large camera with adjustable stand. The camera has square frames attached to an accordion style cloth. One of the frames is immobile while the other slides back and forth on a wooden rail. On the frame that moves are two other frames that fit into each other. The camera sits upon a rectangular wooden platform that is attached to a large upright stand. The sides are wooden stand. The sides are wooden posts while the bottom is cast iron. A ridged strip of metal is attached to the front of the wooden posts. A steel rod extends from the strip of metal to the other. A wheel on one side moves the rod to move up or down the strips of metal. Another wheel underneath the platform moves the platform to up or down. At the bottom of the stand on one side is a cast iron bar with wheels. This bar is attached to the posts. On the other side of the posts is a cast iron hitch that conforms into a triangle. b) The larger frame has a small black frame on the inside of it. On the outside of it are metal clips that hold the smaller frame in place. Embossed on the larger frame near the top is "PATENT OCT 20,1836, NO 569895" c) A small brown wooden frame with metal strips on all four sides. d) Small black wooden frame with metal latches on one side.

Narrative: Miller's International Antiques Price Guide, 1988 American Edition Judith & Martin Miller. Page 426.

History Of Use: The Ansco Studio Outfit #5 camera is a relatively obscure device, with little research information available. The camera first makes appearances in catalogues around 1930 and is seen until the 1940s. The camera is built with cherry, mahogany, and basswood. What made this camera and stand ideal for studio photographers was the construction of the camera and stand that allowed all adjustments from the focusing point. The stand permitted tilting from 10 degrees upward to 25 degrees downward, and height adjustment from 17 inches to 34 ½ inches from the floor. The camera also features a long focal range from 7 ½ inches to 42 inches, made possible by an extra inside lens board. Additionally, the camera has a sliding carriage with automatically locking positions, to permit “splitting” negatives without refocusing. Missing from our camera is the built in holder on the front for reversible backs and negative divider masks, as well as the container on the side that would hold film and plates.