Summary

Alternative Name(s): Envelope; Negative Sleeve

'Kodak' branded folder for photographic negatives and prints, produced by Kodak Australasia Limited between 1914 and 1920. The folder features a nostalgic, soft-focused, Pictorialist style image of a woman in a draped gown holding a Kodak folding camera. Inside, the folder explains the quality of Kodak film and promotes their enlargement services. The catch phrase or slogan 'If it isn't Eastman, it isn't Kodak film' is used to stress brand integrity and quality.

This photograph and negative folder were thought to have been used by the donor's mother. It was a popular design of photograph and negative folder issued by Kodak during the early to mid twentieth century, and the text on it usefully markets the various Kodak branches in Australia and New Zealand as well as a range of Kodak products, aiming to keep customers loyal to Kodak.

Physical Description

'Kodak' branded photo envelope or print and negative folder, which unfolds in the centre to reveal two pockets - one on each side. The front cover is printed in a brown wood grained pattern, featuring a portrait of a woman holding a Kodak 'Autographic' folding bellows pocket camera in a central oval-shaped frame. On the back cover is a circular KODAK logo and a text box containing the name and addresses of the distributors. There is an order number handwritten on top left-hand corner of the front cover.

Significance

Statement of Significance:
This Kodak Australasia Ltd photograph and negative folder enhances the Kodak Heritage Collection, and expands the existing small collection of photograph and negative folders. It highlights the highly successful marketing campaigns used by Kodak around the world to sell their products and attract consumers back to process and print their photographs with Kodak retail outlets. The illustration of a woman as a photographer on the cover of the folder highlights the extensive way in which Kodak has traditionally used women as role-models to promote photography to women, and especially to mothers.

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