No 2 Brownie Camera
Eastman Kodak Co. / Canadian Kodak Co. / Kodak Ltd.
| Name: | No 2 Brownie Camera |
| Manufacturer: | Eastman Kodak Co. / Canadian Kodak Co. / Kodak Ltd. |
| Country of Origin: | Refer to individual entries |
| Construction: | The No 2 Brownie box camera underwent a series of
developments during its long production and was produced in slightly
different forms by the different manufacturing centres. The initial version was similar in form to the No 1 Brownie, with a detachable winder key on the side and smooth leather cloth covering a cardboard body. In 1924 this was to change to an aluminium body shell. The camera has two reflecting viewfinders. |
| Plate / Film Size: | 120 rollfilm (2¼" x 3¼") |
| Lens: | Meniscus |
| Shutter: | Rotary shutter |
| Movements: | None |
| Dimensions (w x h x l): | |
| Production Period: | 1901 - 1933 (US) 1928 - 1935 (UK) |
The No 2 Brownie Camera was introduced in 1901. There are a large number of variations in design that may be encountered, a few of which are illustrated by the examples below.
| Model / Variant: | Model C |
| Manufacturer: | Eastman Kodak Co. |
| Country of Origin: | USA |
| Date of this Example: | 1907 - 1910 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 383 |
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Description
No 2 Brownie Camera - one of four known variations of the US Model C. This one is the Model C with the oval red window and red lettering on the film mask reading 'Fold this mask over". It also has a coarser leather covering, but still with the parallel line markings on each face.
The camera is in good condition. The leatherette covering shows limited signs of some wear and the metalwork is dull and shows some corrosion. Retains original handle.
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| Model / Variant: | Model C |
| Manufacturer: | Eastman Kodak Co. |
| Country of Origin: | USA |
| Date of this Example: | 1910 - 1914 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 382 |
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Description
No 2 Brownie Camera - another of four known variations of the US Model C. This one is the Model C with the round red window and gold lettering on the film mask. It also has smooth leather covering, but still with the parallel line markings on each face.
The camera is in fair condition, but the shutter only fires intermittently. There is some corner wear and limited corrosion to the metalwork.
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| Model / Variant: | Model D |
| Manufacturer: | Eastman Kodak Co. |
| Country of Origin: | USA |
| Date of this Example: | 1914 - 1914 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 384 |
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Description
No 2 Brownie Camera - the only Model D variation that had the clamp. It has a round red window and red lettering on the film mask reading 'Fold this mask over". The winder key has become the bar style and the viewfinder lenses on the front face have metal rings around them; otherwise it is essentially the same as #382 and #383.
The camera is in good condition. There is only very minor corner wear and the metalwork is in particularly good condition. It came with a partial box that sadly was damaged in the post (poorly packed by the seller).
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| Model / Variant: | Model F |
| Manufacturer: | Canadian Kodak Co. |
| Country of Origin: | Canada |
| Date of this Example: | 1928 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 453 |
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Description
Early version of the standard No 2 Brownie, produced by Canadian Kodak Co., but exported for sale in the UK (the instruction booklet with it is a UK printing). This is a No 2 Brownie Model F with detachable back, standard clip and winder key.
It came with the remnants of the original box, which is complete although a little fragile along the seems where it is starting to split.
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| Model / Variant: | Model F |
| Manufacturer: | Kodak Ltd. |
| Country of Origin: | United Kingdom |
| Date of this Example: | c1930 |
| Serial Number: | None |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 230 |
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Description
This is the later version of the Kodak No 2 Brownie Model F made by Kodak Ltd, which has a winder key and was therefore made between 1929 and 1931. It is difficult to know if this is a UK model or a straight US build; however, it was bought in the UK and the format is consistent with the coloured models produced in the UK.
Notes
It is entirely possible to build up a substantial collection of cameras just based on variations of the Brownie box camera and there are collectors who do just that!
Early models are harder to find than the later versions and some are much easier to find in the country in which they were produced than they are elsewhere.
The No 2 Brownie Camera was also available in various sets. One particular example is the Brownie Gift Box, which incorporates an early version of the Model F with detachable back together with other accessories in an attractive box.
You might also like to refer to the pages dedicated to the coloured versions of the UK Kodak No 2 Brownie and the US Kodak No 2A Brownie. The No 2 Portrait Brownie box camera that also appeared in a number of colours.