Ansco N° 4 Folding |
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Manufactured or assembled in USA from (Circa) 1905 to 1915.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 13870
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Ansco
The Ansco No. 4, which had its name indicated on a plate (now lost) on the flap next to the distance scale, is referred to as the No. 4 Folding Ansco by McKeown. It was followed by variants whose names were displayed on a plate beneath the lens as No. 4 Ansco Model C (or D). However, in the Ansco catalogs from 1906 until the last listing in 1914-15, the same camera is referred to as the No. 4 Folding Pocket Ansco.
This particular specimen, likely from the early manufacturing phase, only has a single catch on the right side of the flap (when viewed from the front), unlike later models which have two catches, one on each side, as is common in this type of camera. This specific camera was likely purchased without a shutter or lens, which was possible at that time, given that the shutter is a Kodak Brownie, whereas the standard equipment was a Wollensak Winner shutter.
This specimen, originating from the USA, was found in very poor condition, especially the red bellows. However, it piqued curiosity due to the presence of a door on the back opening to a transparent glass plate, the purpose of which was anything but evident. Subsequent research revealed that this camera was originally equipped with a back for using Vidil film.
![Ansco N° 4 Folding](../../ansco/images/Ansco_4_Folding.jpg)
Vidil is the name of a highly specialized film invented and patented between 1903 and 1904 by Hugo Fritzsche. It was designed to combine the advantages of large-format focusing on a ground glass and the use of film. This unique film was constructed with alternating spaces, each the width of a photograph: some spaces were translucent, creating the effect of a ground glass, while the others consisted of a piece of light-sensitive film protected by black paper at the back to capture the images.
The camera back has a hinged door that covers a transparent glass window of the photo's size. By opening it, one could use the equivalent of an integrated ground glass on the film for composing the image when the corresponding portion aligned with the door. Then, upon closing the door, one had to advance the film to position a light-sensitive portion in front of the lens to capture the photo. A small non-actinic window allowed for the correct advancement of the film and also the use of regular non-Vidil films when the back door was shut.
The Vidil film was a commercial failure and was only available between 1904 and 1909, mainly distributed by Ansco in the United States. In Europe, Lumière, among others, acquired the rights for France and produced around fifteen different formats of this film, according to advertisements of that time. Some rare European cameras were manufactured for these films, such as the "Le Rêve Idéal" by Girard and Boite.
Ansco also separately sold adapted backs for glass plates for its cameras designed for Vidil film. The cameras initially equipped with Vidil backs were later produced with standard backs from around 1909 onwards.
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