As part of my PhD research I am taking a close look at the first Kodak cameras 1888-90, gleaning what I can from photographical journals, biographical material about George Eastman and promotional literature.
For illustration purposes, I would like a good copy of the diagram of the film path and mechanism in the first of the Kodak cameras, to be found in the manual which went with them. I am aware a copy of the 1888 manual is downloadable from Butkus.org, but this PDF only provides me with a low-quality image.
If anyone on BPS is in possession of an original copy, or knows another accesible source of one, or another place I could find a better resolution version of the image, I would be immensely grateful for the help. The diagram is below.
Many thanks
Peter Domankiewicz
Comments
Thank you so very, very much David Gardner - that is precisely what I needed. Indeed, was hoping that someone here might have the manual from the centenary repro of the first Kodak. I would very definitely be interested in photographs of an original camera and will message you personally about that. I suspect there might be various things we'd like to talk about...
The original patent may also be useful?Kodak%201888%20patent%20US388850.pdf
I have an example of the replica of the 1888 Kodak camera made in Bradford to celebrate the centenary of the camera's introduction and the 1989 opening of the Kodak Museum at the (then) National Museum of Photography Film and Television. This comes with a facsimile of the manual and I attach the page which shows the film path. I suspect this is what you already have, but it may be useful to you.
I also have a very early example of an 1888 Kodak camera and I would be happy to provide photographs of relevant parts if that would be useful to you. Or if you are in the North of England you'd be very welcome to pop in and see it.
George Eastman House have been very helpful to me, so don't hesitate to contact them.
1888%20repro%20Manual%20film%20track.jpg 1888%20repro%20Manual%20film%20track%20cropped.jpg
John - thanks for that suggestion. It is the diagram I need right now, but that image is also useful.
Edith - you might well assume that but I haven't yet, so thanks for the suggestion.
Are we to assume that you have already contacted the George Eastman Museum in Rochester NY?
I would think that their Technology Department or their Library rare book collection would have a copy of this brochure or they would know where there is one. Write them at info@eastman.org
Not exactly what you seek, but there is a reasonably detailed brochure, with an illustration of the roll mechanism, as #1888-2 in the "Digitized Kodak Catalog Project" CD. A version of it is also at https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/00108/00108.pdf