This is a Kodak No.2 Autographic Junior Camera and was made from 1916-1924. In 1914 Kodak introduced a small door on the back of its camera which allowed the photographer to write information directly onto the negative. This was a great help in describing the date and the conditions under which the photograph was taken. The camera was very popular and this feature soon found its way onto many other models including this No.2 Autographic.

George Eastman patented his first Kodak camera in 1889 with the slogan: 'You press the button we do the rest'. Over the next century Kodak cameras revolutionised photography by reducing costs and making simple but high quality camera's available to non-professionals.

The earliest Kodak's were simple box cameras which were sent to a local dealer after all the shots on the film inside were taken. The dealer developed the film and sent the photographs and the reloaded camera back to the photographer. Kodak realised the real money was in the sale and developing of film and he introduced numerous models to capture the interest of people from all walks of life.

While introducing a wide range of innovative features two designs dominated Kodak's cameras. The most famous of these was the Box Brownie, designed by Frank Brownell, and introduced at the cost of one dollar in 1900. Brownie's were produced in one form or another up until the 1960s when the Kodak Instamatic was introduced.

The second major design was Folding Pocket Kodak camera introduced in the 1890s. The Folding Pocket camera was highly portable and could be brought in a range of film sizes. Larger negatives such as those found in the No. 4A Folding Pocket Camera were favoured for more professional shots. The smaller Vest Pocket Kodak camera's were introduced in 1912 and were popular with soldiers in World War One.

References
McKeown, Jim and Joan, Collectors Guide to Kodak Cameras, Centennial Photo Service, 1981

Geoff Barker, March, 2007

The camera was made by the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, USA. The leather case is marked as being made in Australia, however the circular metal catch is marked as being made in the USA.

Camera and case, 'No 2C Autographic Kodak Junior', metal / glass / leather, made by Eastman Kodak, Rochester, New York United States of America and Australia, 1913-1916

A camera with a leather storage case. The camera is rectangular in shape with rounded ends.The metal body of the camera is covered in black leather. The camera has a rectangular, brown leather storage case with a leather carry strap.

Made: Eastman Kodak Company; United States of America; 1913 - 1916

Made: Eastman Kodak Company; Australia; 1913 - 1916

Designed: Eastman Kodak Company;

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1913 - 1916