Posted 8 years ago
Photoschmuck
(2 items)
I recently purchased this camera from the daughter of a woman who had a photo studio in Vista, CA. during the 50's and 60's. I have tried to find information about this camera online and am drawing a complete blank. So far, all I've been able to find is the original patent application in Google docs. It was invented by Roger Williams, of Los Angeles, CA. The patents for this camera include motor advance of 35mm film, auto re-cocking of the the shutter, and a lens system that focuses as you raise and lower the view finder. This camera enabled the photographer to shoot in rapid succession without have to stop and advance the film, or cock the shutter, and holds enough film to shoot continuously for several hundred exposures. That doesn't seem like much now, but back in 1946, when this camera was designed, it was pretty darn fancy. I'm assuming the lady used the camera mostly for children's portraits, because when I bought it, it was tucked inside a large custom teddy bear with the lenses peaking out through the chest.
I'm posting this here, hoping to find more information about it, and see if anyone out there has one, or has ever seen one. This camera is serial #0033 and is marked PAT'S APPL'D, so it was built sometime between 1946 and 1950. I'd like to share the patent info I found online. Note all the advancements for the time, and notice how many other camera manufacturers cite the Williams patents in the development of their own cameras. www.google.com/patents/US2520296.
I'm finding it very strange that I've never heard of this camera. I think it may be an important link in the history of photography that is missing from the history of photography. Thank you for your time and any info you can find.
While I specialize in early pre-1900 American cameras, admittedly this is pretty cool. I am traveling for another several weeks and don't have access to my camera references. In my eyes, the camera's story about it being found inside a large custom Teddy Bear is the best part. Can you replace one of the pictures and then post a picture of the camera in the Teddy Bear?
And in thinking about it more, this could have been an I.D. or 'school' camera (or similar) used for shooting pictures of kids. There were companies making specialized cameras that shot pictures on 70mm film (i.e. Cam-O made by the United States Cam-O Corporation). This is similar in concept but motorized.
Very cool post war bulk film portrait camera. Congratulations! Some day, I would like to find one of these in a custom Teddy bear :-) https://books.google.com/books?id=hpcEp9408hgC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=first+motorized+Leica&source=bl&ots=dPhC3D4AFz&sig=slopHQhPu_kPUzsoY2eHy_8EGOo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjup5egq4PSAhUCxpAKHXM8D8QQ6AEIUTAI#v=onepage&q=first%20motorized%20Leica&f=false
rniederman, I will get a photo of the teddy bear and post it within the next day or two. Thank you for your interest.
beyemvey, Thank you for the link! I'm sad mine isn't the first with a motor, but glad to know who did!
The whole set up with the camera inside the bear is very cool. Great find! - Rob
Thank you! Yea, I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I found it. I have posted this story on several camera clubs on Flickr and here on Collectors Weekly and, so far, no one has ever seen, or heard of this camera. I'm starting to wonder if I have the only surviving example. Troy
I just found another one of these at an antique store in Arkansas. It's in much worse condition, but evidence that more do in fact exist.