Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic (1915-1926)

Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic (1915-1926)

#389

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

The Vest Pocket Kodak cameras were a best-selling folding camera series made by Eastman Kodak (Rochester), from 1912 to 1935. They were the first cameras to use the smaller 127 film reels. "Hawk-Eye" versions of the Vest Pocket Kodaks were premium models, and the "Special" models had more sophisticated lens/shutter combinations. A special Vest Pocket wooden development tank for the typIe 127 rollfilm was available from Kodak, as well as a special Vest Pocket enlarging camera.

Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak (1915-1926)

The Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak was the version advertised in the U.S.A. as the "Soldier's camera" during World War I. It was very successful, selling 1,750,000 units. It was of the compact strut folding type and had the meniscus lens or a U.S.-speed 8 Rapid Rectilinear lens.

The camera back had an area through which notes could be written onto the paper backing of the 127 film, the "autographic" feature - invented by Henry J. Gaisman.

Source: camera-wiki.org

t was made by Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester N.Y., U.S.A., from 1912 to 1926.
They sold about 1.750.000 units.
The VPK was the first camera to use 127 film.
This name it's self explanatory, it was a camera that could be carried in a vest pocket. In fact it isn't much bigger than many of the compact digital of today.
This was the successor of the long praised collapsible large Kodak cameras.
It's success was due to the small size and price. They sold for $6.
This price was possible due to it's simpler construction, instead of  wood, metal, leather... of the older and bigger models the VPK was made of an aluminium alloy fastened with rivets. What explains why there are still so many, in very good condition, today.

The first models didn't had the autographic feature and were painted in smooth black.
The autographic model was launched in 1915 with a black crackled finish, also called Japan crystal.
There was some special models with better, some focusing, lenses, like the Rapid Rectilinear by Baush & Lomb, the Cooke triplet, Zeiss Tessar and the rare Lacour-Berthiot Olor. Also different shutters and, some of these special models, were covered in leather.

As it was a very portable camera, there was a lot of WWI soldiers who took them to the trenches, what was strictly prohibited. That gave it the nickname "Soldier's camera".

Charles Lindberg used to carry one with him in his adventurous flights.

George Mallory, maybe the first person to reach the Everest summit, had one with him when he and Andrew Irving headed to the last part of the ascent. Both died, the body of Mallory and most of the personal effects were found, Irving's body and the camera were never recovered, in it could be the proof of their feat.

Source: camarasclassicas.blogspot.com

Specifications

Single meniscus lens about 75mm 1:11
Three blades, Kodak ball bearing shutter, 1/25, 1/50 B and T
Fixed focus ~1.8m to infinity
8, 4x7cm, exposures on 127 film
Folding bellows in trellis struts
Autographic window and stylus
Size and weight: 67x121x30mm, 316g

Source: camarasclassicas.blogspot.com


Model

Serial number 1815124


Reference sites

camarasclassicas.blogspot.com

camera-wiki.org


Manual

English manual


Film


Pictures taken with this machine


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