Antique Kodak Vest Pocket Series III “vanity” Red Camera, Usa 1926–1933

This exquisite Kodak Vest Pocket Series III “Vanity,” in its red version, is one of the most beautiful and sought-after cameras from Kodak’s golden era. Manufactured by the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York, between 1926 and 1933, this model belongs to the refined “Vanity” line, created for those who wished to unite elegance and functionality in a single object. Its metal body, lacquered in a deep mahogany-red tone and adorned with fine gilt lines and burgundy leather bellows, makes it an irresistible piece both to the eye and to the touch.

This example includes the complete Autographic system, with its sliding rear window and the original metal stylus firmly fitted into the left side. The system allowed photographers to write short notes, places, or dates directly onto the A-127 film, giving each image a personal and poetic touch. The fact that it retains all these original elements makes it an exceptionally complete and very hard-to-find piece.

Equipped with a Kodak Anastigmat 83 mm f/6.3 lens and a Kodak Diomatic No. 0 shutter, this camera offered at the time a combination of optical quality and exposure control unusual for its compact size. The scales and engravings remain clear, the folding finder preserves its chromed brightness, and all mechanisms—folding, focusing, and shutter release—operate smoothly, although the camera has not been tested with film.

The Vanity cameras were produced in several colours—red, blue, green, and leather brown—but the red version is by far the rarest and most coveted, especially among collectors who appreciate both its Art Deco aesthetics and historical significance. This model perfectly captures the refined spirit of the 1920s: compact, elegant, and technically advanced. Its excellent preservation makes it ideal for a fine photography collection or as a decorative object with presence and soul.

An extraordinary opportunity to acquire a red Kodak Vest Pocket “Vanity” camera with original Autographic system, fully functional, complete, and of great rarity.

Dimensions: 13 cm × 7 cm (5.12 in × 2.76 in).

History of the Kodak Vest Pocket “Vanity”

The Vest Pocket Kodak was introduced in 1912 as a revolution: a camera that could truly fit in a vest pocket. In 1915, Kodak incorporated the Autographic system, an invention patented by Henry Gaisman, that allowed users to write on the film using a stylus and a rear window. During the 1920s, the company went further and launched the “Vanity” line, an exclusive collection in sophisticated colours, red, blue, green, and leather brown, aimed at a modern public seeking objects that combined beauty and function.

The Series III, introduced around 1926, marked the culmination of this evolution. It featured a more streamlined Art Deco design, the new Kodak Diomatic No. 0 shutter, and the Kodak Anastigmat 83 mm f/6.3 lens, improving the optical quality of earlier versions. Although not all Series III cameras retained the Autographic system, some, like this example, did, using a sliding rather than a hinged window. Production ended in 1933, elegantly closing the story of the Vest Pocket family.

Today, the Vanity cameras are synonymous with distinction and collectability. The red Autographic version is particularly rare, and its blend of style, functionality, and beauty makes it one of the most emblematic cameras of its time. We are professional antique dealers. To see more photos of this item, Please click on this link:

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