“Snap Shot” Novelty Camera. unknown date

Doc: “Marty! I sold the DeLorean for this cool old camera! I don’t need to go 88 mph anymore. Just load it up with some roll film and wind really fast!”

Marty: “That's great Doc, but there aren't any seats.”

Doc: “Seats? Where we’re going, we don’t need seats!”

(For those unfamiliar with the dialog, it is a parody of Doc Emmett Brown's quote in the movie "Back to the Future.")

Anyhow, here is something different and fun for my camera collection. Every once in a while, I see a novelty camera that catches my eye. Okay, it’s not wood and brass. I first saw the camera over a decade ago and, for some reason, never forgot about it.

Like most working [cheap] novelty cameras, this is small and crudely made. Actually, it is somewhat in the style of late-1890s to early 1900s roll film cameras. The body looks to be made of thick, pressed paperboard (or fiberboard) covered in leatherette (imitation leather); and the solid “bellows” has a heavy brown paper wrapping.

The front is made of oxidized copper while the viewfinder is copper with a natural patina. A simple lever shutter is in front of a meniscus lens. There are two pieces of brass; the film winding knob and a brass clip to hold the body and back together. And inside, it still has a wood film spool.

My guess is this was the prize in a premium give-away program; unfortunately, the original reference was lost long ago. Notes included with the camera say it is a “Snap Shot” from the Union Novelty Co.

A possible clue to the camera’s age was found online in a 1906 McCall’s Magazine advertisement placed by a “Union Novelty Co.” located in Attleboro, Mass. (There were a lot of companies by this name.) The ad is for boys and girls to sell 24 pieces of “jewelry novelties.” In exchange for the money, the company would send a complete magic lantern outfit. Maybe this camera had a similar sales program. Anyhow, I am still researching.

Regardless, I am amazed that something this simple and made of inexpensive materials is in nearly perfect condition.