No 4A Folding Kodak Camera
Eastman Kodak Company
| Name: | No 4A Folding Kodak |
| Type: | Folding (Rollfilm) |
| Manufacturer: | Eastman Kodak Company |
| Country of Origin: | US |
| Construction: | Conventional, but very large, vertical format folding camera
where the lens standard is pulled out on a track fixed
to the baseboard. Brilliant finder at top right of lens standard. First versions has wooden support for the lens assembly; this was later replaced with a metal U-shaped frame. An autographic back was introduced in 1915. |
| Plate / Film Size: | 126 rollfilm for pictures 4¼" x 6½" |
| Dimensions (w x h x l): | |
| Production Period: | 1906 - 1915 |
The No 4A Folding Kodak is the largest conventional folding camera made by Eastman Kodak. Note that while the format resembles other cameras from the Folding Pocket Kodak series, this camera has dropped the 'Pocket' from its name for obvious reasons!
A number of design changes were introduced during its production period, leading to three distinct versions, Models B & C being identified as such inside the back of the camera.
| Model / Variant: | Model A |
| Lens: | Rapid Rectilinear |
| Shutter: | Bausch & Lomb Automatic |
| Movements: | Rise and cross front |
| Date of this Example: | c1906 |
| Serial Number: | Serial 4573-L |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 122 |
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<Photographs to be added>
Description
This is an early example of the beautiful No 4A Folding Kodak camera, which is in very good condition.
The red leather bellows are in good order. The shutter is still operational (accuracy unknown). On receipt it had a 3A (122) film loaded, as one of the spools has been adapted to take the narrower film.
The camera came complete with an original shutter release bulb that hasn't (yet) perished.
It has an original leather case, which has a 'University of Michigan 1837' logo on the front. Whether this means that it originally belonged to the university is unclear.
~ # ~ # ~
| Model / Variant: | Model B |
| Lens: | Bausch & Lomb Zeiss Tessar f6.3 |
| Shutter: | Volute |
| Date of this Example: | c1908 |
| Serial Number: | Serial 7660L |
| Availability: |
|
| Inventory Number: | 148 |
<Photographs to be added>
Description
This is an example of the later Model B variant of the No 4A Folding Kodak, which again is in very good condition. Came complete with remote cable that fits over pneumatic valve.
The attractive Volute shutter is in chrome finish. The large f6.3 Tessar lens appears to be a little cloudy.
The bodywork is in excellent condition. The camera is fitted with an autographic back, with patent dates of 1914. Stylus is intact. Clearly this was put on as an option at a later date.
Leather case, which is quite marked and leather is showing signs of wear on lid section.
Notes
From 1912, these camera were fitted with black leather bellows, which I think degrades their otherwise attractive appearance.