"Canadian Kodak" not Eastman | ||
| Kodak Cameras8 of 228 |  |  |
f64imager loves this.
fortapache loves this.
rniederman loves this.
dav2no1 loves this.
blunderbuss2 loves this.
Phonoboy loves this.
Vynil33rpm loves this.
sebgiudice loves this.Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate
Posted 3 years ago
sebgiudice
(1 item)
Hello all.
I'm new to this site and found it whilst researching the Canadian Kodak camera I found a long time ago on eBay. I was wondering if anyone could advise me on it? Is it rare? Are there people keen to collect this item. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Seb
Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.
Create an account or login in order to post a comment.
Hi Seb and welcome to CW. Thomas, thanks for reaching out.
Your camera model is the "Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak." As background, in 1899, George Eastman founded a division in Canada.
This is a very common camera and the production run for all models was approximately 1,750,000 from 1915 to 1926; the production run for "autographic" models is reported as 1,432,500 cameras. Fun fact: The Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak was so popular with the military during WW1, it was advertised as "The Soldier's Camera.”
Autographic cameras such as yours used a special film. The little metal window on the back of your camera holds a small metal stylus. Photographers used the stylus to “write” some info about the picture (i.e. names, dates) which became a permanent part of the negative. A variation of the original Kodak slogan was coined for this system: “You write the title; it does the rest.”
Your camera appears to have a black crackle metal body finish (as opposed to a smooth black enamel finish). If this correct, catalogues describe it as a “Japan Crystal" finish. My library of consumer Kodak catalogues indicates cameras with the Japan Crystal finish were offered from 1922 to 1926.
The lens is a simple meniscus achromatic formula mounted in a Kodak ball bearing shutter. This lens shutter combination was listed in catalogues from 1922 to 1925.
In summary, this is not a rare camera. Collector demand and value are somewhat low due to the extensive numbers found for sale.
Thanks all for the help. I appreciate the insights. It's very interesting information that I would have not found with internet searches. Thanks.
I'll be looking for a new home for the camera. I've had it long enough, so it's time for someone else to enjoy it.
Many thanks
Seb