No 1A Folding Pocket Kodak

Eastman Kodak Company

Name:	No 1A Folding Pocket Kodak
Manufacturer:	Eastman Kodak Co.
Country of Origin:	USA
Construction:	The camera underwent significant design changes, starting from the same basic design as the original Folding Pocket Kodak but then moving to having a self-erecting lens standard and a fold-up bed that covered over the lens when closed.
Plate / Film Size:	116 rollfilm (2¼" x 4¼")
Movements:	None
Dimensions (w x h x l):
Production Period:	1899 - 1915

The No 1A Folding Pocket Kodak camera underwent a series of design changes during its early production. The initial version was essentially the same format as the original Folding Pocket Kodak but has two larger finder windows on the front panel. Thereafter a sequence of design changes occurred with the models identified as B, C & D.

Model B of 1905 adopted a form that set the path towards the familiar folding bed format, although this early design had a self-erecting lens panel. It also had twin finders (one for portrait and one for landscape).

Model C (1906 - 1909) had a single reversible finder and a series of improvements to the shutter.

Model D (1909 - 1915) adopted a metal face plate on the lens panel to replace the wooden panel used on the Models B & C.

Variant:	Model A (not marked as such; pull-out front)
Lens:	Achromatic f11
Shutter:	Eastman Automatic
Date of this Example:	1c1900
Serial Number:	Serial 9916 stamped into aluminium base below patent dates.
Availability:	Common  Uncommon  Hard to Find  Scarce
Inventory Number:	56

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Description

Aluminium back / base unit. Mahogany leather covered body. Dark maroon bellows (but showing their age).
Last patent date in base is 1899. Nickel plated struts.

This example is in rather poor condition. The leather is very dry and brittle. One section has already fallen away at top left (viewed from front) revealing the aluminium body beneath.

I have a contemporary instruction booklet "Picture Taking with the No1A Folding Pocket Kodak", produced by Kodak Limited. While clearly marked as intended for the 1A model, the photographs still show the original model. It appears to be a version produced to cover this model, but re-using the existing material from the original. One change however is that does describe use of the nickel plated strut that allows the camera to be supported when used in vertical format, a feature missing on the original model.

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Variant:	Model B (Bed format, with twin finders)
Lens:	Achromatic f11
Shutter:	Pocket Automatic
Date of this Example:	1905 - 1907
Serial Number:	Serial number 65187 stamped into aluminium base inside.
Availability:	Common  Uncommon  Hard to Find  Scarce
Inventory Number:	75

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Description

Twin finder model of the No 1A Folding Pocket Kodak, only manufactured from 1905 to 1906 (data from Coe). Serial number is 65187. According to Coe [4], serials ran from 57001 to 78099 between June 1905 and Sept 1906, so this example is likely to date to early 1906.

The camera is in relatively good order, with minor scuffing to leather, most apparent around the slider that allows the camera back to be removed.

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Variant:	Model D (conventional bed type)
Lens:	Achromatic f11
Shutter:	Pocket Automatic
Date of this Example:	c1912
Serial Number:	Serial #158415
Availability:	Common  Uncommon  Hard to Find  Scarce
Inventory Number:	111

<Photographs to be added>

Description

Good example of the No 1A Folding Pocket Kodak, albeit with minor scuffing to leather. The booklet is dated September 1912.

In need of some light repair as the leather was lifting on arrival and had to be stuck back down (a not uncommon problem). This camera also exhibits another defect that occurs on quite a few examples of metal bodied leather covered cameras where bumps appear in the leather. These coincide with screws beneath the leather covering where verdigris has built up over the screw head due to chemical reaction over time.

The camera came with a contemporary instruction booklet ("Picture Taking with the No 1 and 1A Folding Pocket Kodaks") in good condition.

Notes

It is possible to collect a number of variations of this form of camera, particularly if you include the original Folding Pocket Kodak and other formats such as the No 0 Folding Pocket Kodak, and the No 1 Folding Pocket Kodak. They could make quite a display all on their own! Many are not too hard to find. The twin finder model is perhaps one of the most sought after by collectors.