EASTMAN KODAK CO., Rochester, NY

The Property of the INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY AT GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE, ROCHESTER, N.Y.

Details

EASTMAN KODAK CO., Rochester, NY
A 120-rollfilm cardboard-body George Washington Kodak camera with blue star-patterned body covering, nickel fittings, the body with red window, carrying handle, two retaining catches, winding key with mounting marked Use Kodak film 120 and foil seal featuring a relief portrait of George Washington and legend George Washington Bicentennial 1732 1932, the front section with centre-set waistlevel viewfinder, single speed rotary shutter, single meniscus lens and blue, red and polished metal stars and stripe motif panel, and the interior with transfer Use Kodak film 120..., in original red, blue and white box printed with Washington profile, stars and stripe decoration, 1732 1932 George Washington. Made in U.S.A. by Eastman Kodak Co. Rochester, N.Y. Trade Marks Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. and manuscript ink legend 10-11 Received from Ads Dept 11-3-1953 (never sold. Made up sometime 1932).

Provenance

Eastman Kodak Company, and thence to the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Rochester, NY. The camera is a non-accessioned duplicate from the collection of the IMP/GEH and was received as a gift from the Eastman Kodak Company.

Literature

Coe (1988), Kodak Cameras. The first hundred years, p.290.

Further details

See illustration and front cover

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

Lot Essay

Two examples only of the George Washington Kodak camera were made c.1932. The camera was intended as a celebration of George Washington's bicentenary but the project was stopped because of depressed economic conditions. The camera was never marketed or distributed and, accordingly, is in excellent condition.

The proceeds from the sale of this camera will be used to benefit the collections at IMP/GEH. The only other example remains in the Technology Collection at IMP/GEH.

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