Posted 10 years ago
rniederman
(347 items)
I often comment how cute small wooden cameras are and here is a fine example of a pre-1900 pocketable camera predating today's little point-and-shoot digital cameras.
Shown is a tiny, (quite scarce) strut-style, bellows folding camera made by the Monroe Camera Company of Rochester, NY. As you can see, it fits easily in hand and sized just right for a vest pocket (as intended).
First introduced in 1897, the Vest Pocket Monroe (or No.1 as it is sometimes called) represents one of the earliest "vest-pocket" style cameras. It takes pictures on 2 x 2½ inch glass plates or sheet films.
This particular model is the smallest and rarest of the series selling for $5 (about $137 in year 2013 currency). It measures 2¾” wide x 3½” high x 4½” in length when fully open. The camera has a maroon leather bellows (very thin and fragile), black leather covered body, brass plate holders, and its original box.
The unusual bedless design with scissors style struts and thin bellows helps the camera fold down to a svelte 1½" thin including the double plate holder! But due to the shearing action of the struts when opening and closing the camera, almost all examples of these Monroe cameras are found with torn or much worn bellows.
"STUNNING"!!!
Thanks!
Sean
aghcollect
A real CUTIE !!!!
Was the Vest Pocket Kodak named after this, I wonder?
Thanks!
PatSea
fortapache
Michael
blunderbuss2
Thanks, valentino97! I haven't seen the film about Ron Galella but will keep an eye out for it. But I do know he was one of the most successful and controversial paparazzi. Some of his pictures are borderline iconic.
Incredible, to say the least!! I love this little camera.
Thanks!
vetraio50
Eric
Thanks!
walksoftly
toolate2
Thanks!
Ben
JohnK
Thanks, Brett. Good question ... I don't believe Kodak named their 'vest' cameras after this Monroe model. "Vest" was added to names for marketing reasons so that prospective buyers knew the cameras were smaller than normal to fit into a vest pocket. Several companies included the term 'vest' in model names.
Thanks for your response Ron. I wonder which was the first to use the "Vest" or "Vest Pocket" name?
Sorry, I meant to write Rob.
Brett ... Without having done extensive research, I believe the first use of the term "Vest" in a camera name goes back to 1885. Robert D. Gray (NY) sold a "Vest Camera." It is a large all metal disc shaped body with a lens at the top. It was designed to be worn under a vest. The lens was mounted at the end of a cone that would peek through a button hole. A year later (1886), Stirn (NY and Germany) offered their version: Stirn's "Concealed Vest Camera" ... which is more well known to collectors.
Ah yes, Rob, I've seen the latter in books about cameras, but hadn't equated them with the "Vest Pocket" types. I'll have a bit of a dig and see what I can come up with.
Thanks!
Longings
Nordicman32
jscott0363
Thanks!
michaeln544
sugargirl
luckywest
Thanks!
Kydur
trukn20
kyratango
Thanks!
chrissylovescats
Designer
Thanks, shughs!
Thanks, pops52!
Thanks, crswerner!
All the best to YOU & YOURS over the Festive Season RNIEDERMAN !!!!!
Thanks, vetraio50! I too hope you have a great holiday season.
Thanks, Lady_Picker!
Thanks, leighannrn!
Thanks, DerekToye!
Thanks!
courtenayantiques
KevinEBest
Thanks!
Roycroftbooksfromme1
trunkman
Thanks, Camera_turk!
Amazing!
Thanks!
aura
Celiene
SDCameraFan
Thanks!
jscott0363
GeodeJem
Thanks, VintageArgentina!
Thanks, Nicspawee!
Thanks, thegatherer!