Posted 10 years ago
bmtool
(7 items)
estate sale fresh this morn ... im not a camera expert ... but have had enough to say ive never seen one of these buttons... i cant find it on ebay or google...the camera it self i think is pretty common ... it has a bausch and lomb lens ...any info would help... thanks bill
Reid S. Baker was a Camera and Photographics Supplies store in the early 1900's located at 938 F Street, Washington, DC - simply google "reid s baker kodak cameras washington dc" and there are numerous links to Wash. D.C. newspaper advertisements, a 1911 store catalog, a 1909 mention in 'Optical Review' etc.
The Reid S. Baker in your link is based in New York City and Long Island. - It could very well be a relative or ancestor. - Look at this advertising stamp circa 1922 - i think you have to copy and paste this link, it didn't go direct. -
Poster stamp :: Advertising Ephemera content.winterthur.org:2011/cdm/ref/collection/advertising/id/9058
Fascinating information about the dealer Reid S. Baker and a terrific looking badge.
Technically, this is a 1914 No.3A Folding Pocket Kodak with the 1915 accessory autographic back. "Autographic Photography" was promoted by Kodak starting in their 1915 consumer catalogues. (Refer to my ‘note’ at the end of my comments.) According to the company’s catalogues, the idea was to allow photographers (using the stylus shown in this post’s third picture) to record the time the picture was made as a permanent part of the negative. The company revised their original slogan for this new product as "You write the title; it does the rest."
The ball bearing shutter was offered on this No.3A from April 1909 to 1914. Given that there are later patent dates appearing and a model specific name, this particular camera is more than likely 1914 or early 1915 manufacture. In 1914, the No.3A folding Pocket Kodak sold for $20.00. The accessory autographic back was listed in 1915 for $3.75. Starting in 1915, the camera shown here was also sold as the No.3A Autographic Kodak for $22.50 ... a reasonable deal because you get the newer back for only $2.50.
As a note, while Kodak website indicates 1914 as the earliest year, the autographic feature does not appear in their consumer catalogues until 1915. (All of Kodak’s consumer catalogues from 1886 to 1941 are in my library.)