Montgomery Ward

image by Jeff Durham (Image rights)

Ward's "Wardette" box camera, made by Bilora image by Inspiredphotos (Image rights)

The Montgomery Ward department stores chain is reputed to be the first department store to operate by mail order. The company was founded in Chicago in 1872 by Aaron Montgomery Ward. They sold cameras under the Wards brand, and some by other names.

The company was not consistent in its camera branding. For example, their 1948 photographic catalog shows no cameras with Montgomery Ward branding, and lists the Argoflex E under its own name. (Prior to WWII, this camera was sold as the Wardflex.)

Cameras

• Adams 351
• Adams 352
• Baby Thornward #2
• Long Focus Thornward
• Majestic
• Montgomery Model B
• MW
• Premium
• Thornward Dandy

Wards

35mm Rangefinder

• Wards am 450 (rebadged Konica Auto S)
• Wards am 550
• Wards am 551 (rebadged Konica Auto S2)

35mm Viewfinder

• Ward 35 (rebadged Beauty 35)
• Wards 35-EE
• Wards I-A (rebadged Adox Polo 1S)
• Wards II-A
• Wards III-A (rebadged Adox Polomatic 3S)
• Wards cp 301
• Wards ep 504 Electric
• Wards x100
• Wards xp400
• Wards xp 500
• Wards xp 500a
• Wards xp 501 (rebadged Konica EE-Matic Deluxe)

SLR

• Wards SLR 600
• Wards SLR 700 (Konica FP)

Bakelite Wardflex (Argoflex E) image by Stephen Dowle (Image rights)

TLR

• Wardflex (Bakelite, pre WWII)
• Wardflex and Wardflex II (metal) 1950s, re-badged Japanese TLR by Taiyōdō

127 Cameras

• Wards 25

Box

• Wardette (similar to Bilora Stahl-Box)

Links

• Wards xp 501 (same as the Konica EE-Matic Deluxe)