Univex Model A

Universal Camera Corporation

Name:	Univex
Type:	Box Rollfilm / Premium Camera
Manufacturer:	Universal Camera Corporation
Country of Origin:	US
Construction:	A simple two part moulded plastic body, with a wire frame finder that folds out from the front and a plastic sight finder moulded into the body.
Production Period:	1933 - TBC

 

Model / Variant:	Model A
Plate / Film Size:	No. 00 Rollfilm
Lens:	Unknown
Shutter:	Simple instantaneous shutter
Movements:	None
Dimensions (w x h x l):
Date of this Example:	c1938
Serial Number:	None
Availability:	Common  Uncommon  Hard to Find  Scarce
Inventory Number:	521

 

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Description

The Univex Model A was introduced in 1933 according to McKeown [1], but it is believed this example dates to 1938 as the reverse of the instruction sheet shows several other cameras (Corsair I, Univex Iris) which were introduced in that year.

Simple plastic camera for No 00 rollfilm (I have a Norton example of this film). A wire-frame sports finder is attached to the front of the camera with a rear sight moulded as part of the plastic shell of the body.

This particular example was a premium camera for The Quaker Oats Company and has the outer cardboard packaging used to post the item to its recipient in Ephrata, Pa, USA. It also included the original single sheet instructions for the camera, which is in good condition.

Notes

This may well be the most modern of the cameras in my entire collection, with the possible exception of the Kodak Bantam Special with Supermatic shutter that perhaps beats it by a year or so!

My interest in this camera was a consequence of the evidence that came with it to show that it was used as a premium camera.