Illustration of a woman photographing an older women reading to children, sitting on the front porch. Text contains a personal story.

Photograph of woman and young child, and images of four cameras. Text contains consumer information - describes the four cameras advertised.

Illustration of camera being advertised. Text contains consumer information.

Item consists of a poster featuring an image of a man taking a photograph of two women on a beach in 1923, using an electric-eye instamatic camera. Beneath the image reads: In 1923, you had to fiddle around and set exposure for sun or shade. / Now any electric-eye KODAK INSTAMATIC Camera measures the / light and sets the exposure for you automatically -- for black-and-white / and color pictures, and color slides.

This series contains cameras designed to take photographs on flexible film sized smaller than 135 format film (24mm x 36mm). The size of the camera also tended to be very small, and often simply designed. While several companies manufactured high quality miniature cameras (including Minox and Rollei), many others were cheaply made and did not produce relatively poor results.

Film formats for miniature cameras were often priority, created by manufactures for their cameras specifically, and included the following sizes: 10mm x 14xx (16mm film), 13mm x 17mm film (110 film cartridges), 14mm x 14mm (used by "Hit" type cameras), 8mm x 11mm cartridge roll film (Minox), 11mm x 8mm disc film (Kodak).

Miniature cameras gained a reputation as "spy" cameras, and while some of the higher quality ones (including the Minox) were used by government agencies, most were simply for surreptitious, amateur use.

To browse the individual items in this series, click on the "View the list" link under the "File and item records are available for this series" title (to the right of the page).

Photograph of young woman running through snow and carrying skiis over her shoulder, with illustration of camera being advertised. Text contains consumer information.

Item is a disposable camera loaded with a 27 exposure roll of Kodak Gold 400 ISO 35mm film for colour prints. Develop before date is April 1995.

Illustrations of camera being advertised. Text contains consumer information.

Advertisement for Kodak SUper-XX panchromatic high speed film.

Black and white illustration of camera, and black and white photograph of children walking down a sandy hillside. Text contains consumer information - describes camera advertised.

Item is a mounted reproduction of a black and white image of a No. 1 Kodak camera from 1888.

Item is a folding camera in metal and leatherette case. It features a ball bearing shutter, Kodak Astigmatic lens (f7.7, 130mm), and a pivoting brilliant viewfinder. Took 116 roll film.

Item is a No. 1A Folding Pocket Camera Model C. It is a medium sized camera with black leather casing and red leather bellows.

Item is a special version of the No. 1A Kodak Junior. It is a folding camera covered in brown leather with an enameled brown, silver and red art deco design on shutter faceplate and front door. Features black bellows and metal hinges. For use with 116 roll film, it is a medium sized camera that makes a picture size of 2 1/4 x 4 1/4".

Item is a black folding camera with black bellows for 2.5" x 4.25" exposures on No. A-116 film with a Diomatic No. 1 lens.

Item is a folding camera for 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. exposure on A116 film. The Autographic feature allowed notes to be made on the film by scratching them into the film paper with a special stylus. A window opened in the back of the camera to expose the backing paper. Has a Kodak F-79 lens, black leather casing and bellows, metal clasps and slide.

Item is a No. 1A Pocket Kodak. It is a medium sized camera with black leather casing, metal clasps, and Kodex No. 1 shutter (manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company, the rest of the camera body was produced by the Canadian branch), that made 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch exposures on 116 film. The A indicates that the camera is an Autographic version that allowed the photographer to add written information to the film.

Item is a No. 1A Pocket Kodak Model B Camera. It is a medium sized camera with black leather casing and red leather bellows, metal clasps that made 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch exposures on 116 film. The A indicates that the camera is an Autographic version that allowed the photographer to add written information to the film.

Item is a box camera capable of making 2 1/4 x 3 1/4" exposures on 120 rollfilm. It features a metal film carrier and cardboard body covered in black leatherette. Features two brilliant view-finders and 10cm meniscus lens. Heritage Collection: Small brownie camera in black leather casing.

Item consists of a No. 2 Brownie model F camera. It is a box roll film camera and one of the first to use "Kodak" 120 film. Manufactured by the Canadian Kodak Co. Ltd. between 1924 and 1935. Picture size 2 1/4 x 3 1/4. Has a meniscus lens and rotary shutter. Aluminum.

Item consists of an 1899 model of the No. 2 Bulls-Eye Kodak, which was manufactured from 1896-1913. It has a wooden interior, a spring controlled rotary disc shutter, and rotating disc stops controlled by pulling a lever on the top of the camera.

Item is a horizontal folding camera with maroon bellow and a wooden lens standard. Photos were taken on 120 film for 2.25" x 3.25" exposure.

Item is a leatherette covered folding camera for exposures on 120 film. Originally designed and produced by the Boston Camera Company, Hawk-Eye camera production changed hands twice, once in 1890 when sold to the Blair Camera Company, then again in 1907, when Eastman Kodak purchased the company. Simple lens and rotary shutter. Black leather body and bellows.

Item is a box camera made for use with Kodak 120 film. It resembles a Kodak No. 2A Brownie, model B, but was made in Canada. Small hand held box style camera in classic leatherette casing. With leather strap on top.

Item is a No. 2A Brownie Model C made from aluminum for use with 116 size film. It is medium sized with black leather casing.

Item consists of a No. 2A Brownie box roll film Model C camera. Manufactured by the Canadian Kodak Co. Ltd. between 1930 and 1936. Used No. 116 film. Picture size 2 1/2 x 4 1/4. Has a meniscus lens and rotary shutter. Case removed for loading by releasing two pivoted catches and pulling out winding key.

The item is the No.2A Folding Cartridge Hawk-Eye Model B, a medium sized camera with black casing and black leather bellows, metal clasps and slide.

Item is a folding autographic camera that allowed one to write on the negative using a metal stylus. Photos were taken on 120 roll film. In 1917 the ends were changed from a squared to rounded version, and the No. 2A was produced with the rounded ends until 1926.

Item consists of a large format film folding bed camera, built for use with Kodak No. 1A 130 Autographic roll film cartridges to make a picture of 7 x 12 cm. The body is built of aluminum with seal grain leather covering. Fitted with a meniscus achromatic lens and Kodak Ball Bearing Shutter.

Illustration of camera being advertised. Text contains consumer information.

Illustration of camera being advertised. Text contains consumer information.

Item is a No. 3 Brownie box camera. Originally sold for $4.00, the camera was made for use with 124 size film that made a picture size of 3 1/4 x 4 1/4". It is a large sized brownie camera with black leather casing.

Item is a simple box with a rotary shutter. Body is black with black handle at the top. Written on the metal film carrier "No. 3 Brownie camera model B U.S. Patents Oct. 6 1914, Feb.1 1916, March 21 1916." Uses box roll film, film size 124.

Item is a wooden box camera with leatherette covering for large 8.25 x 10.8 cm (3.25 x 4.25") exposures on 124 film. The design is simple, with a fixed focus and shutter speed. The roll film was advanced past the lens manually with a small crank. The original sales price was $4.00.

Item is a 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, model H, one of Eastman Kodak's first postcard format cameras. Made for use with rolls of 122 film it created 3 1/4 by 5 1/2 inch postcard format images. It has an automatic shutter equipped with a pneumatic release (no longer attached). It could also be adapted to take photographs on glass plates. It is a medium sized folding camera with black leather casing and red leather bellows, metal clasps and metal/wooden slide.Heritage Collection: Medium sized camera, black leather casing and red leather bellows, metal clasps and slide.

Item is a 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, model H, one of Eastman Kodak's first postcard format cameras. Made for use with rolls of 122 film it created 3 1/4 by 5 1/2 inch postcard format images. It has an automatic shutter equipped with a pneumatic release (no longer attached). It could also be adapted to take photographs on glass plates. It is a medium sized folding camera with black leather casing and red leather bellows, metal clasps and metal/wooden slide.Heritage Collection: Medium sized camera, black leather casing and red leather bellows, metal clasps and slide.

Photograph of a boy milking a cow in a meadow, while another boy looks on, with illustration of camera being advertised. Text contains consumer information.

Item is a 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, Model B-2?, one of Eastman Kodak's first postcard format camera. Made for use with rolls of 122 film it created 3 1/4 by 5 1/2 inch postcard format images. It had an automatic shutter that was equipped with a pneumatic release (no longer attached). It could also be adapted to take photographs on glass plates. It is a large sized folding camera with black leather casing and black leather bellows, metal clasps and metal/wooden slide.

Item is a 3A Folding Pocket Kodak, model B-3?, one of Eastman Kodak's first postcard format camera. Made for use with rolls of 122 film it created 3 1/4 by 5 1/2 inch postcard format images. It had an automatic shutter that was equipped with a pneumatic release (no longer attached). It could also be adapted to take photographs on glass plates. It is a large sized folding camera with black leather casing and black leather bellows, metal clasps and metal/wooden slide.

Item is a Kodak Panoram No. 4, model D. It is a large box camera in black leather casing that features a swivel lens that rotates as the camera box remains stationary to make a panoramic exposure of up to approximately 110 degrees.

Photograph of store display of Brownie cameras. Text describes marketing of products for retailers.

Two complex illustrations of product assortments being advertised. Text describes marketing with these assortments for dealers.

Item is a Kodak Pleaser. It is an instant 'handle' camera with a 100mm f/12.8 lens, a shutter with speeds of 2-1/300s, and electronic exposure. It used film type HS144 for a picture size of 67 x 91mm. Picture ejection is by the crank on the right hand of the camera. The concept behind this unique-looking camera was to make instant photography as inexpensive and accessible as possible so that consumers might switch from Polaroid to Kodak. It is the second of the Pleaser models and has a two-tone brown plastic body.

Item consists of a Kodak Instamatic 20, a small hand held camera with thin, horizontal design, made for use with 110 film. Red coloured release button on top above viewfinder. Metal and black plastic design with black leatherette bottom and strap attached. It is fitted with a 25mm f/9.5 triplet lens in a two speed shutter, and features a brightline viewfinder, Magicube socket and tripod socket.

Item is a small rectangular camera with a black and silver plastic body, built for use fith no. 110 16mm film cartridges. It has an f5.6 lens, and a shifter on the top to select aperture, indicated by weather images of clouds and suns. It features a magicubes flash connector.

Item is a long and flat camera with black plastic, and metal casing with magicube flash attached. It is a pocket model of the first Instamatic released, the Instamatic 50. It features automatic exposure control, focusing lens, tripod bush, and allows for cable release. Two LEDs in the viewfinder indicate low light and used bulb. Made for use with 110 cartridge film, it has a 26mm f/2.7 lens and 10-1/250 shutter speeds. Made an impressively sharp image.

Item is a small silver and black compact camera with flash cubes (magi-cubes). Includes a tripod mount and cable release. Automatic shutter and coupled rangefinder. Uses 110 cartridge film. In orginal box, with flash cube, leather case and black wrist strap.

Item is a Polaroid Highlander Land Camera, model 80A. It is a folding instant camera with a 100mm f8.8 3-element glass lens a 2-speed rotary leaf shutter design with speeds of 1/23s and 1/100s, a Polaroid hot shoe flash, rigid viewfinder, painted steel body, chrome plated trim, exposure set by Polaroid Light Value scale, and a rotating lens front-element for distance focus. It is in a leather case also containing the manual.

Item consists of a small hand-held camera with Kodak Anaston Lens f4.5 (51mm), and Flash 200 shutter. Grey bakelite, faux black leather and metal casing. Serial no. 313297. Designed for 35mm film.

Item consists of a small format camera. It has a Kodak Flash 300 Shutter 1/25-1/300, a 44mm f/3.5 Kodak Anaston Lens and uses 135 film format. It features a faster shutter and a shorter focal length to previous models. The body is made of brown Bakelite. Above the lens is an aperture scale for Kodachrome and Ektachrome films.

Item consists of a Kodak Pony 135 Camera, Model C. It has a Kodak Flash 300 Shutter 1/25-1/300, a 44mm f/3.5 Kodak Anaston Lens and uses 135 film format. It features a faster shutter and a shorter focal length to previous models. The body is made of brown Bakelite. Above the lens is an aperture scale for Kodachrome and Ektachrome films.

Item is a small, handheld camera with a black faux leather and grey Bakelite body and metal fittings. It used 828 format roll film (developed by Kodak in 1935 and similar in size to 135 film, without sprocket holes) to make 8 exposures. The camera features a simple viewfinder, 51mm f 4.5 Kodak Anaston Lens and a four speed Kodak Flash 200 Shutter. This item features the unusual occurence of a green window on the back to read numbers of coloured film. Serial no. 225134.

Photograph of young girl wearing a hat. Text contains consumer information.

Item is a large sized box camera made for use with 120 rollfilm. Features two prism viewfinders and simple meniscus lens. It has has cardboard body with black leatherette, but was manufactured in different colours, including red, blue, brown, maroon, green and burgundy.

Illustration of woman photographing three children playing in a grassy yard, one pushing another on a swing. Text is minimal.

Photograph of woman photographing three children playing in a grassy yard, one pushing another on a swing. Text is minimal.

Photograph of woman photographing three children playing in a grassy yard, one pushing another on a swing. Text is minimal.

Item is a 35 mm still camera with Retina-Xenon f2/50 mm. lens and Synchro-Compur 1-1/500 MX shutter.

Item is a Rio 12C folding camera manufactured by Orionwerk Akt. Ges. Hannover. IBSOR DRP Meyer-Gorlitz Nr. 434172 Anastigmat Trioplan 1/6.3 F=10.5 cm lens. Company existed as Orionwerk from 1921 to 1933.

Photograph of two children sitting on floor, surrounded by toys, and four illustrations of cameras being advertised. Text contains consumer information - describes cameras being advertised.

Folding flash for use with instamatic cameras (specifically Minolta 16. Uses AG-1 bulbs

Item consists of a matching set of ballpoint pens in a plastic case. Pens are red and white have Kodak printed on them in silver.

Item consists of a Kodak Signet 35 camera. It has a 45mm f/3.5 Kodak Ektar Lens with rear helicoid focus. The body is sturdy cast aluminum alloy with leatherette casing, and it features an automatic film stop counter. Knobs at top allow user to wind or rewind film. It has a Kodak Synchro 300 shutter with 5 speeds and uses 35mm film. Movable metal chart at back gives the best f stop for certain conditions. It was the first of the Kodak Signet camera line.

Item is a viewfinder camera with black bakelite body, metal fittings and large attached flash. It is the fourth model in the Kodak Signet line, featuring a selenium photocell exposure meter. Featuring an Ektanar lens with thorium oxide, the camera is slightly radioactive.

Six illustrations of product assortments advertised. Text describes each assortment for the dealer. Advertisement is split into a left half and a right half with 'Camera Assortments' and 'Film Assortments,' and was perhaps meant to be viewed as a two-page spread.

Four illustrations of film and indoor/nighttime assortments. Text describes each assortment for the dealer, and includes descriptions of two camera assortments not illustrated.

Item consists of a Six-16 Brownie box roll film camera that used size 616 film to make pictures sized 6.35 x 10.8 cm. It has a Diway lens with a close-up lens and a rotary shutter. The body is metal covered in leatherette, with a unique geometric art-deco front panel and two brilliant finders.

Item consists of Six-20 Brownie Junior box 620 roll film camera. This Brownie camera improves on the Kodak series manufacturing, with a metal body and an Art-Deco front face. It has a rotary shutter and a meniscus lens and two reflecting finders.

Item is a simple snapshot camera with a built-in electronic flash. It has a small, thin horizontal design with black plastic body and flashcube on right. Film-wind wheel centrally mounted on the back of the camera. Comes in original orange plastic packaging (unopened) with a roll of 110 film and 2 AAA batteries.

Item is a camera with a black plastic body made for use with 35mm film. It featured an automatic film advance and rewind, a focus-free lens and a Sensalite flash. Used a lithium 9 volt powerpack. Manufactured in Mexico.

Photograph of young girl sitting next to a decorated Christmas tree, holding a toy telephone and smiling, with 4 illustrations of the cameras being advertised. Text contains descriptions of the cameras.