They are not as rare as you think. Deardorffs are. I found a grey painted Ansco Semi-Centennial stand and matching tailboard camera with the very popular 5X7 back. Grey paint was the 'premium' model and priced higher as for a while everybody wanted the 'new' Industrial finish. Now nobody does. 5X7 became the most popular studio size as the format is good for groups and standing poses. It is can also be used with a sliding back to give 2 images very quickly on one piece of 5X7. As film improved smaller sizes saved money, again 5X7. Tailboard cameras were prefered as they only needed rear focus and adjustments, the front standard on a Tailboard can carry a huge portrait lens and internal shutter. Strong.
Another arcane fact is every small town in the USA had a Portrait studio and one of these cameras was de rigor. How many were made? How many are still somewhere in Ohio. I bet Ohio has a lot of them.
I found mine while looking for an enlarger. Horse country Chicago area. A falling down house, 2 very odd brothers. I think I barely escaped with my life. Not kidding. The musty basement had father's old gear. I bought 2 enlargers for cheap. Then I asked what was under that dusty sheet. The Ansco! It was just begiining to rot, but not yet. Maybe 2013. $25 and they loaded everything. I was on crutches. The house was remote, far off the road and i had to park out of sight of the road. After loading one brother gave me a very scary look, the other brother said, 'Get out of here now'. Not in anger, more like he was worried...
When picking take a partner if possible.
Your camera and stand are somewhere in Ohio.
I later sold mine for $250 to a guy who was going to restore it. I had used it for several years as is. He was buying everything LF in sight from NY down the Midwest and home to Texas.
In his van and cargo trailer he had a Deardorff Portrait Stand with camera, 3 of the big Dearforff stands with cameras like in my picture. My Ansco and all kinds of stuff. He claimed to run out of cash at my studio. Nice guy and wife. We hit it off. It was a good day for me. He left me with a full load going home. Never heard from him again, but i bet he reads this Forum, eBay and every Craigslist in the country. I knew where he got his 'good stuff' from sold eBay listings I had watched.
Let us know when you find one!
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