Last Updated on 06/08/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
These Art Deco Kodak Beau Brownie cameras make lovely additions to a photographer’s vintage camera collection
Ready to grab another vintage beauty and grow your camera collection? How about a complete collection of beautifully designed Kodak Brownie cameras? That’s exactly what we have today for our latest ebay find: a full set of Kodak Art Deco Beau Brownie cameras from the 1930s. If you love both the legendary Kodak Brownie and all things Art Deco, this collection will definitely catch your attention!
Ebay seller -marti is selling one of his complete sets of Kodak Beau Brownie cameras designed by pioneering industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague in the early 1930’s. In his listing, the seller also said that it took him a long time to get a complete set for his personal collection. Now that he has another set, he’s letting another collector have the pleasure of adding a complete set of the two Beau Brownie versions to his or her collection. If you think this lucky collector is you, all you need to shell out is $3,600 for all ten cameras, including four cases (two of which are damaged, however).
Those who are seeing these cameras for the first time may think that they do look interesting, but what exactly makes these quirky box camera special? According to Camera-Wiki, the striking designs are made of two-toned enamel, and done in the geometric look typical of the Art Deco style. It came in five colors — black, pink/old rose, blue, green, and tan — and two versions — the N°2 for 120 film and the slightly larger N°2A for 116 film. The body is made of metal and covered in imitation leather. It has only two shutter speeds (I & B) and three apertures which can be set using the sliders on the top edge. However, the green and pink/old rose were only available between 1930 and 1931, and the two versions disappeared altogether in 1933.
As for its designer, Walter Dorwin Teague, he began making camera and sales package designs for Kodak and later Polaroid in 1927. He was influential to the designs made by the leading camera makers in the US during his time.
If you’re keen on grabbing this complete Kodak Beau Brownie set, check out the ebay listing to buy it now or make your best offer.
All images from the ebay listing by -marti