Coronet Box Camera No 2
Coronet Camera Company
| Name: | Coronet Box Camera No 2 |
| Manufacturer: | Coronet Camera Company |
| Country of Origin: | United Kingdom (Birmingham) |
| Construction: | Conventional box camera; leatherette covering over a wooden body |
| Plate / Film Size: | 3¼ x 2¼ rollfilm |
| Lens: | Unknown |
| Shutter: | Simple sector |
| Movements: | None |
| Dimensions (w x h x l): | |
| Production Period: | |
| Availability: |
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The camera was available in a variety of colours and there are a number of design variations.
These cameras were also made available through premium schemes.
| Model / Variant: | Dark blue, green or is it black? |
| Date of this Example: | c1936 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Inventory Number: | 164 |
Description
Conventional sized box camera in a colour that is difficult to determine - it might be a black or perhaps a dark mottled blue or even green finish! It is complete with handle.
Labelling to the camera itself is limited to the metal label around the portrait lens lever on the front. Complete with all original packaging and documentation. Camera was "Specially made for George Newnes Ltd." according to the packaging, and includes a booklet produced by them.
The camera is complete with its original pink sales carton, which is in very good condition, plus original outer plain cardboard box (no labelling).
Original instructions included (light brown paper, running to 12 pages), creased, folded on top edge, but complete. Also supplied with booklet titled "Prize-winning Snapshots and How to Make Them". This 48 page booklet was produced by Geo Newnes and includes adverts for their film processing services.
Note: In a subsequent eBay item with the same booklet and carton, the outer cardboard postal carton carries the following on the address label: "TIT-BITS'' CAMERA PRESENTATION DEPT, 39 KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON W.C.2
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| Model / Variant: | Brown box with portrait setting |
| Date of this Example: | c1930 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Inventory Number: | 87 |
Description
Conventional sized box camera in brown finish, complete with handle. Note that curiously there is no labelling to the camera itself, although it comes in its original and very striking red & yellow Coronet packaging.
Some rusting to black metal parts (around lens and finders). Leatherette covering is in very good condition and clean.
Original instructions included (light blue paper, running to 8 pages), creased, folded and falling apart, but nonetheless complete. Curiously, nowhere do they acknowledge the Coronet name, as with the camera itself.
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| Model / Variant: | Black with portrait setting |
| Date of this Example: | c1936 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Inventory Number: | 8 |
Description
No 2 Box Camera written around winder key. Portrait Box on lens surround (lever below lens swings in additional portrait lens. Black leatherette covering bubbled in a few places. Enamel bezel around lens shows some wear.
Original sales carton in brown & cream. A little dirty but intact, with some water marking inside.
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| Model / Variant: | Dark blue with portrait setting |
| Date of this Example: | c1936 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Inventory Number: | 287 |
Description
This is probably a No 2 box camera, but it is does not say so explicitly. It is similar in format to item 267 (see next entry), but this one does not have the Coronet badge embossed on the back.
This is a fairly well used example!
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| Model / Variant: | Dark green with portrait setting |
| Date of this Example: | c1936 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Inventory Number: | 267 |
Description
This is probably a No 2 box camera, but it is does not say so explicitly. Bodywork in good order, with black fittings. Ring around lens opening shows most wear, with some paint missing.
This example has the Coronet badge embossed on to rear face.
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Notes
These cameras quite often turn up with their original packaging, perhaps because cases were not often available. The style of the packaging varies, as can be seen by the three different examples shown amongst this group.
Aside of the bakelite cameras, these coloured box cameras are perhaps the next most sought after cameras made by Coronet. Many of the other products produced are not greatly collected and many were of comparatively poor construction as they were generally aimed at the budget end of the market.
When looking for an example of these cameras, check the metalwork. It is common for the paintwork to chip away on more vulnerable areas such as the lens surround and for rust to set in.