Anniversary Kodak
Eastman Kodak Co.
| Name: | Anniversary Kodak |
| Manufacturer: | Eastman Kodak Co. / Canadian Kodak Co. (see entries below) |
| Country of Origin: | USA / Canada |
| Construction: | Based upon the No 2 Hawk-Eye Camera Model C, but covered in tan coloured reptile grained paper with a gold foil seal in the upper right corner of the right side. |
| Plate / Film Size: | 120 rollfilm |
| Lens: | Meniscus |
| Shutter: | Simple rotary shutter |
| Movements: | None |
| Dimensions (w x h x l): | |
| Production Period: | 1930 |
The Anniversary Kodak was a special edition of the No 2 Hawk-Eye Camera Model C, but covered in tan coloured reptile grained paper with a gold foil seal in the upper right corner of the right side. In the more common US version this has 'EKC' embossed into the foil while the less common Canadian version has 'CKC' (see examples below).
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Approximately half a million of these cameras were given away children who were 12 years old in 1930, the fiftieth anniversary of the Company. It was also a great way of introducing a young generation to the camera and thereby increase film sales. The contemporary advert shows the camera and the offer made to children of a qualifying age. (Click on the thumbnail to open a larger version in a separate window). I have categorized the camera as a 'premium', which is stretching the definition somewhat. Strictly a premium camera should be one that is given in return for a specified number of tokens of some sort, while the only qualification for this free camera was your age! However this particular model with a seal at one corner was used as part of other schemes, notably by the Flying Fox Company. |
| Model / Variant: | Eastman Kodak Co. (EKC) |
| Date of this Example: | 1930 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
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| Inventory Number: | 232 |
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Description
Tan coloured box camera, with anniversary medallion on the upper rear corner. The gold foil has worn, leaving the gold colour looking very weak, It is also lifting at one edge. The brass coloured parts are quite tarnished. The handle and front face are marked with the owners name "Floyd Mericle".
It came with its original box, complete although all flaps are separated and have been fixed with tape. What I love about this example, which in terms of condition is hardly the best that might be found, is that the box captures a little bit of personal history as it is marked along the top edge of one side with the legend "Floyd Mericle, Age 12 1930 got it April 23".
Rather remarkably, it has also retained its original instruction booklet.
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| Model / Variant: | Eastman Kodak Co. (EKC) |
| Date of this Example: | 1930 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
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| Inventory Number: | 425 |
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Description
The gold foil is in fine condition, probably as good as one might hope to fined. The brass coloured parts are also in bright condition. It looks as if this camera has rarely been out of its box - the only wear is crush damage to the bottom corner on the same side as the foil (unfortunately).
The camera was wrapped in thick cling film type material on arrival. It is possible that this just might be original. I have another US example (not listed here) that came with a partial box that has the remnants of the same plastic material on it.
So should it be unwrapped or left well alone? I wanted to see the condition of the camera within and besides, the seller had already unwrapped it to take photographs for the listing. However I have attempted to note the folds in the film so that I can refold as near to its original state as possible for storage.
On opening the camera, I found tissue paper stuffed inside the film carrier and within that was the original carton of 120 film, dated "V-JULY-1931-R". This rather confirms the camera has never been used.
It came with its original box, which is in very good condition with very bright colours. It has its original instruction booklet and the original (unused) dealer certificate. Possibly the camera was never actually given away by a dealer, perhaps because it was damaged. Who knows - sadly the history has been lost in its passing through different hands.
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| Model / Variant: | Canadian Kodak Co. (CKC) |
| Date of this Example: | 1930 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
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| Inventory Number: | 203 |
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Description
Tan coloured box camera, with anniversary medallion on the upper rear corner with the CKC logo rather than the more common EKC. The gold foil has worn a little, leaving the gold colour looking a bit weak, but it is complete and undamaged. The brass coloured parts are also in good condition.
The camera came complete with a partial box, but this is missing both end flaps and is damaged on the sides. It is taped up at one end. No printing is visible; the end flaps would show the maker as Canadian Kodak Co., rather than Eastman Kodak Co. as seen in the previous examples.
Notes
I have bought quite a few of these cameras over the years searching for good examples (successfully at least in the case of the US version), through buying on eBay and swaps with other collectors.
The camera is relatively common in the US with the 'EKC' logo embossed in the seal, but the condition of the camera can vary quite widely. The seal may be worn down to look more silver than gold and can often be damaged or torn. It is not uncommon to find remnants of the original box, but it is difficult to find one in good condition. I was exceptionally lucky to find the near mint example, but even this example is damaged, even if only through shelf-ware!
The 'CKC' version is much harder to find. To date I have been unable to establish how many of this version were made in the comparison to the US version.