Posted 8 years ago
Clementtem…
(1 item)
That camera has been in my french family for quiet a while.
It's a well-known Kodak Pocket Vest from 1913.
The interesting aspect of it is the engravement from The Westminster Photographic Exchange Ltd, 111 Oxford Street London W.
Anybody have more info about this company ?
From the family myth about this camera, an english soldier may had forget it at the end of WWII ...
Most amazing, the film is still inside !!! Any advice on what to do with it ?
Any chance to check what's on that film ?
Kind regards
Clement
These Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak cameras are historically interesting. The overall series was made from 1915 to 1926. The black enamel finished model (this camera) was made until around 1919. It shot 1-5/8 x 2-1/2 inch images.
It was a popular camera in WWI sold with a small pigskin carrying pouch and advertised as “The Soldier’s Camera.” According to Kodak, “soldier snapshooters were not allowed to take cameras to the front, and consequently most amateur photographs look like family snapshots—the difference being that the friends in the pictures are other doughboys and the places depicted are close to the battle lines of World War I.”
Eastman was an amazing marketer and the Vest Pocket Autographic Kodak (all models) was an amazing success ... to the level of about 1.75 million sold! Kodak also had numerous international marketing outlets and Westminster Photographic Exchange Ltd. was probably one of Kodak's sales points.
In regards to the film, if the camera has remained unopened, it is possible to develop. The major problem with really old film is fogging, yet there are people who have figured out how to develop old film. Do some searches on Google to find out how to develop older film. The results aren't always good but in many cases the negatives do show images.
Thanks for that very interesting reply. I do have the little carrying leather pouch, but in a very bad shape !!
For the film, I never open it but lets hope that nobody does !!!
It'd be interesting to see what is on the film.
Will let you know if I found somewhere/someone who can develop that film !!! ;)