Kodak- it gets the picture.

<p>After watching a documentary about George Eastman, I went ahead and started digging through the net looking for those Kodaks. Amongst some recent camera purchases, I got a CD with Kodak ads dating back to 1888. Here, I would like to share some of those with you. First is from 1886 - the year Eastman patented roll holder for available cameras.</p><div></div>

<p>Next up is an add for the first Kodak camera- simply Kodak. 1888</p><div></div>

<p>1900- Who wouldn't want to open up a Christmas present just to find out they got a Kodak? I'm sure I would be happy. - Just like this lady.</p><div></div>

<p>Let the children come to .... Kodak. Eastman had this brilliant idea that even kids would take pictures with Kodak and as they grew, they would acquire more and more expensive Kodak models "Kodak Junkies"</p><div></div>

<p>1920- Who would not want to buy this Kodak Pocket Premo and it was only $13.85.</p><div></div>

<p>Finally, in 1921 Kodak made a cool gadget available - portrait attachment and timer release. Who needs digital when you can have Kodak.</p><div></div>

<p>I got over 600 of these adds ranging from 1886 to 1923. They are so much fun to sort through and they offer wealth of information on how the camera market was at the end of IX and beginning of XX centuries. Oh, here is the link to Eastman- The Wizard of Photography movie. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfhsM15nElM</p>

<p>The word "Web" in the first add really puts me off for some reason ^_^<br /><br />I have one of those 1921 pneumatic self-timers, unfortunately the seal is in bad shape so you have about half a second after release to get into position.<br /><br />I didn't know eastman was active in the 9th Century ;)</p>

<p>I'd agree, <strong>Kris</strong>, they really are fun to collect. Here's the cover from a rare old Kodak publication I managed to lay hands on, containing all sorts of wonderful things.</p><div></div>

Rick, you got me there. My Roman numerals got a bit

wonky, I guess.

<p>Thanks for sharing the Kodak ads.<br /> So even as late as 1929, the publicists were pushing to make the term "Kodakery" synonymous with the word photography.<br /> Also, $13.95 seems inexpensive today, but back in 1920, it would have bought at least 140 loaves of bread.<br /> <br />Best Regards from Austin, TX</p>

<p>Kris,</p>

<p>These are wonderful. I especially like the 'Let the Children Kodak' ad.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>A lovely vintage collection. Thanks for sharing some here.</p>

I'm glad you guys like those. I have spent hours looking

at those adds, marveling at beautiful classy designs of

some of them.

At one time Kodak was synonymous with camera. An elderly Frank James would give tours of the James' farm for 50 cents but there was a sign posted by the entrance gate - "No Kodaks allowed". I guess he had his own pictures to sell to tourists.

<p>Thanks.<br>

It was also an innovative company. Here is a 1940 automatic exposure camera.</p>

<p>Later early entry into digital, too. Hard to understand....</p><div></div>

<p>Ah yes...the Kodak "Boomerang" as the service deparment called it, JDM :)</p>

 

<p>Absolutely brilliant! I love Victorian-era (and slightly later) advert copy. Like "...without the impedimenta heretofore necessary"! Oh, for people still to write that way today! And the somewhat Yoda-like sentence construction ("A beautiful instrument is the Kodak..."; "Especially interesting is their work..."). I <em>do </em>have a problem with "Kodakery." Without a "c" before the "k," or two "k"s, I think it should rhyme with "bakery," but maybe that's just me.<br>

Thanks for the walk down (pre-)memory lane, Kris and other contributors.<br>

<em>--Dave</em></p>

There is something about those old time ads that appeal to us old time photographists.