Historical information

This item represents a period in time when there was the start by manufacturing industry for targeting the medium to lower socio and economic strata of the purchasing public. It was the beginning of cheaper mass produced items for the non professional (photographer in this instance) recreational minded public. The availability of low cost items was required by an ever increasing population hungering for the "do it yourself" amateur.

Significance

This camera was owned by Margaret (Peg) Shefford nee Turner, who retired to Mount Beauty in the mid 1980s. The camera was purchased in 1920 and used up to the 1940's when her her daughter, Midge Clooney used it. When the Shefford family emigrated from England to Australia (1953), it was used to take photos of the ship voyage.

Physical description

This item is a Campfire Box Brownie. Model "F". It is a black vinyl covered tin box shell. It has a short leather hand strap (110mm) (stamped "BROWNIE") on the top side of the box, fastened by a metal stud at each end. There are two clasps holding the front and rear sides. Viewer (photo frame number) and lens (apertures) are on opposite sides.

Inscriptions & markings

Stamped within a circular section on the back section is "No 2 BROWNIE" underneath,"MODEL F" in smaller letters "MADE IN CANADA BY CANADIAN KODAK Co., Limited, TORONTO, ONT". a smaller circle within has "USE KODAK FILM No_ 120"