Early Eastman Dry Plate & Film Co Camera

[danchusid]

I recently bought a batch of cameras from the widow of a Kodak executive and have had little luck figuring out this particular model. The closest I can come is the No. 2 Kodak Camera, but the handle and level (described below) are confusing me.

The camera is a box type, approximately 9 inches long by 4 7/16 wide and 5 inches high. The box is black leather covered wood and has a pull down front with the small plate mounted inside which says "Made by The Eastman Dry Plate & Film Co. on the front door just below the lens hole. There is a glass viewer on top that is about 7/8" in diameter and a corresponding glass aperture of 3/8" on the front door. The shutter button is on the right side of the box, looking at the lens. On the top front corner there is a dual level (obviously for horizontal & vertical use) and right next to it is the string set handle. I don't see this on any other camera of this variety but it looks like it was original to the box, not added later. I have not had any luck opening the back, though there is a small button on the bottom at the back which looks like it should possibly open it.

There's a large removeable silver rewind key on top (when you turn it you can hear it moving the gear), along with another similar slot across from the straight leather handle. There is no wording on the handle. There is a patent stamp on the pebbled back but it's very hard to make out. "Pat. May ? 1895 - other patents applied for in all countries". The number 399 is stamped near the top.

I would be happy to email photos of the camera to anyone who might have a clue.
- Dan

[tom]

hi Dan, Sounds like you may have a nice collectible. please email me the photos or post here and i will help.

regards,
Tom

admin@historiccamera.com

instructions to post pics on the messageboard viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2034

[danchusid]

I've emailed you a photo of the camera in question Tom. Hopefully you can supply an answer to this little mystery.

[danchusid]

Okay, just found the upload button.

[tom]

Hi Dan,

I agree with your assessment of the model. Congratulations on owning a really nice historic camera. It matches the 1894 information we have in our database for the Kodak No. 2 camera and the photo we have exactly. 4 1/2 x 5 x 9 - 2 lb. 12 oz., originally priced at $32.50. I agree with your friend that the spirit level is an add on, likely at the time of purchase. Our example picture shows that a handle was added after 1894, so you most likely have a late model c1896. The back should open to expose the roll film cartridge. I own the No. 1 and the back is removed by removing the silver turn key on top ( it is reverse threaded ), then the roll holder would slide out the back, I am not sure if the no. 2 works the same way, but you can try this.

Regards,
Tom

[danchusid]

So, are you saying that the handle was added by the manufacturer on the models after 1895?
And the spirit level was possibly added by the owner, or added by the manufacturer when this was first purchased?

Yes, I was able to figure out how to open the back by removing the key, but it took me a little while. All these box type cameras have so many different
methods for opening. The Kodak Panoram took me a while to figure out.

Thanks for the quick replies Tom.
- Dan

[tom]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for following up and making me think. Now I fully understand you concern. Yes I am confident that Kodak did not add spirit levels during manufacturing on the early kodaks and this was added by the owner or shop owner, most likely around the same time period, possibly at purchase. I researched my Kodak catalogs reference and the No. 2 is depicted in each year without a handle up to 1897, but after that it is not in the 98, or 99 catalogs. So, I am changing my story to say that the handle was possibly added by the owner. Since we have another picture of a No. 2 camera with a handle, it allowed me to take a second look and compare the handles. and it appears that the handles look different as does the mounting. So, my guess is that it was added by the owner or shop keeper as an optional common modification of that time period? Do you agree?

Tom

[danchusid]

I just took a close look and suppose it could have been done either by the shop where it was bought or by the purchaser. It was certainly a professional job
as the alignment and attachment look true to the camera.

Now I wonder if this would devalue or increase the value of the camera, since it IS a customization, though it does enhance it's use.
My plan is to keep it, but it's still nice to know the answer. Where do collectors stand on this issue?

[tomkom1]

Hi Dan,

Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you on this. I would not think that it would increase the value. I believe that to most folks it would not affect the value, however to purist it would devalue it. In order to estimate what it would mean in terms of devalue, I would imagine that would be limited to the case if you were to remove the spirit level and handle and just have the holes left over from the screws, then a No. 2 in good condition with a few blemishes would be worth?? The rest of the camera is in terrific condition so I would not think it would devalue it much. But again a period modification that was most likely done by the shop is worth the same to me is the same as it would if it did not have a modification. As they say it is worth what someone will pay.

Regards,
Tom