The Vest
Pocket camera appears in 1912 and will be evolving in different versions
until 1935.
The model presented here is a Vest Pocket Autographic camera produced
after 1921. It has the same characteristics than the regular model but
with the Autographic feature.
It is equiped with a lens Anastigmat f=84 mm 1:7.7 and a shutter Kodak
Ball Bearing. Other types of lens have been proposed : Achromatic
meniscus or Rapid Rectilinear.
The camera
body and its front face are covered with black leather. The Autographic
pen is stored above the Autographic window located on the back of the
camera.
The Vest Pocket camera is undeniably associated to
the tragedy of the WW1. Its small body and the fact it used a rollfilm
instead of a glass plate, explain why this little folding camera was
such a success with the french soldiers : the « poilus ».