Vintage 1927 Ansco Memo 1/2 Frame 35mm Camera & Case
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:14784048 | Model: Memo (1927 Type) |
| Color: Black | Modified Item: No |
| Brand: Ansco | Country/Region of Manufacture: United States |
This is a very nice 1927 Ansco Memo half-frame 35mm camera. It was the very first camera made in the United States to use 35mm film. The camera was introduced in 1926-27 by Ansco, an American manufacturer of camera equipment and film in Binghamton, New York. Using Ansco's own cassette system (35mm cassettes would not be standardised until 1934), the film traveled vertically, as in a movie camera. Each frame was half the size of the 24x36mm f...ormat popularized by the Leica for stills cameras. It made 50 exposures 18×23mm. This is a 1927 model, when a shutter release guard was added, to prevent accidental shutter actuation. This Ansco Memo has an excellent Ilex-Ansco cinemat f:6.3 "Triplet" lens and Ansco Ilex "Guillotyne type" shutter with speeds from 1/25 -1/100 sec.T. and B. The Serial No. 25732 is stamped inside the body and also on the inside of the back door.
Cosmetically, this camera is in very good condition. The leatherette covering has a few slight nicks, lens is clear, viewfinder is clear, automatic film counter works, film compartment is clean, aperture has smooth settings, but the shutter sticks at slower speeds. 1/100 opens rather consistently. The camera case is worn with stitches on one side of the back ripped out, strap is very worn, and the brass snap is coming loose from the leather. An interesting note, close examination of the brass snap reads "EST. 1842".
Ansco's predecessor, E. & H.T. Anthony Co. was the largest distributor of photography supply in the USA. It started in 1842 as a daguerrotype gallery, Edward Anthony in New York, and expanded its activity becoming photography supplier in 1847. In 1852 Edward Anthony's brother Henry T. joined. In 1870 the company started making cameras. The company was the first to patent a roll-film holder that could be loaded in light. In 1902 it was merged with Scovill & Adams into Anthony & Scovill, this name being abbreviated to Ansco.
This would be a great camera to add to your collection, if just as a conversation piece since it's design is so unusual.
Cosmetically, this camera is in very good condition. The leatherette covering has a few slight nicks, lens is clear, viewfinder is clear, automatic film counter works, film compartment is clean, aperture has smooth settings, but the shutter sticks at slower speeds. 1/100 opens rather consistently. The camera case is worn with stitches on one side of the back ripped out, strap is very worn, and the brass snap is coming loose from the leather. An interesting note, close examination of the brass snap reads "EST. 1842".
Ansco's predecessor, E. & H.T. Anthony Co. was the largest distributor of photography supply in the USA. It started in 1842 as a daguerrotype gallery, Edward Anthony in New York, and expanded its activity becoming photography supplier in 1847. In 1852 Edward Anthony's brother Henry T. joined. In 1870 the company started making cameras. The company was the first to patent a roll-film holder that could be loaded in light. In 1902 it was merged with Scovill & Adams into Anthony & Scovill, this name being abbreviated to Ansco.
This would be a great camera to add to your collection, if just as a conversation piece since it's design is so unusual.
