Ansco No. 2 Box camera Camera

A basic box camera that shoots 118 roll film and makes 3.25" x 4.25" images. One variant was sold at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.

Overview

The Ansco No. 2 Box Camera is a simple box camera from Agfa-Ansco, made for amateur photographers. It uses 118 roll film and makes 3.25" x 4.25" images. There are two right-angle viewfinders, one in the top and one in the right-hand side, so you can frame in portrait or landscape. A commemorative version, the Ansco Century of Progress, was made for sale at the 1933 "Century of Progress" World's Fair in Chicago. It differs from the standard model only in the design of the front plate.

Specifications

Product type	Box camera
Film format	118 roll film
Image size	3.25" x 4.25"
Viewfinder	Two right-angle viewfinders for portrait and landscape orientation

Design

The design is described as "fairly primitive," which fits a box camera of the era. The only difference between the standard Ansco No. 2 Box Camera and the 1933 Century of Progress variant is the decorative design on the front plate.

Context

The Ansco No. 2 Box Camera competed with other low-cost models like the Eastman No. 2 Brownie and the Japanese "Yen Camera." The Century of Progress variant for the 1933 World's Fair came out of Ansco's long-standing line of affordable cameras.