Summary

Kodak 'Baby Brownie Special' camera manufactured by Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, New York, U.S.A., circa 1939-1954.
It uses size 127 roll film, and takes images measuring 4.3 cm x 6.2 cm (1 5/8 x 2 1/2 inches). It has an eye level, direct viewfinder, a meniscus lens and a rotary shutter. The camera has a moulded black plastic body with metal elements and a braided leather strap. It was introduced in 1939 and discontinued in 1954.

Physical Description

Black, almost square camera. Moulded plastic with small ridges around camera body on top, front, bottom and reverse. Plastic film winder on top of camera on the left side. Plastic shutter button at front of camera on right side. Two sliding metal tabs on each side - camera opens by sliding both of these down and pulling front of camera directly forward. Interior plastic film box can be removed. Camera also has a braided leather strap which runs across the top and is attached at each end to the sliding metal tabs.

Significance

Record updated as part of the Kodak Data Enhancement Project 2006, Bronwyn Mitchell.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Images & Image Making

  • Acquisition Information

    Donation from Father Mark West - St John of God Hospital Churinga Inc, by Mar 1991

  • Manufacturer

    Kodak, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 1939-1954
    George Eastman House Archive gives production dates from 1939-54.

  • Inscriptions

    Embossed on front of camera around lens: "BABY BROWNIE / SPECIAL". Embossed on back of camera: "MADE IN U.S.A. BY / EASTMAN KODAK CO. / ROCHESTER, N.Y." Embossed on top of interior film box, visible when removed: "USE / 127 FILM / PATENTS U.S.A. / 2,234,716 2,245,257 2,249,517 / CANADA 1939, 1940, 1942 / T.M. REG. U.S. PAT. OFF."

  • Model Name or Number

    'Baby Brownie Special'

  • Brand Names

    Kodak (Cameras) , Brownie (Cameras)

  • Classification

    Photography, Image making equipment, Cameras

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    Technology

  • Type of item

    Object

  • Overall Dimensions

    90 mm (Width), 110 mm (Depth), 120 mm (Height)

  • Dimensions

    7.2 (Length)

  • References

    George Eastman House Archive - Item E130.00014 [Link 1] Note: The photo on this website is slightly different in that there is a rectangular view finder on top of the camera - this may be an attachment that is missing from the item belonging to the museum, or it may be a later model.

  • Keywords

    Cameras, Photographic Equipment, Photography, Lenses