BoxCameras.com - Eastman Kodak 1900-type (No. 1) Brownie Camera

When Kodak introduced the $1.00 Brownie Camera in February of 1900, it was an immediate success, but with one problematic flaw - the shoebox-style, cardboard back wore out quite quickly, leaving the rollfilm inside more susceptible to light leaks. To fix the problem, Kodak engineers created a metal latch to hold a new rear cover in place, and all was well again. The original Brownie Camera was only in production for about two months, and is quite rare today. Eastman Kodak company records indicate that many of these first Brownie Cameras (about 15,000) were shipped to England.

The Brownie Camera with its new back door design would go on to be known as the No. 1 Brownie Camera in 1901, when the larger No. 2 was introduced necessitating a new name and model designation. This was the same procedure Eastman Kodak used when it released both the original Kodak Camera, and the first Folding Pocket Kodak camera.

This specific camera at left is known to collectors as the '1900-type Brownie'. The camera has the improved back door system of the No. 1 Brownie Camera, but pre-dates the release of the No. 2 Brownie. That is why the camera is referred to solely as "Brownie Camera" on the flap inside the back door.

Although the camera is in "pretty good" condition (many Brownies were very well used by their young owners), it lacks the proper film winding key. These were easily removable and as such, Brownies are often found with no winding key, or with a soldered replacement key as is seen here.

A clip-on reflex viewfinder was also available for this camera for an additional 25¢.