Antique Kodak Autographic Special No.3a Camera. Red Bellows. Usa, 1914

Antique folding camera Kodak Autographic Special No.3A, manufactured between 1914 and 1916 by the Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester (New York, USA), represents one of the most important technical and aesthetic milestones in the history of portable photography. This model marked the beginning of the celebrated Autographic line, introducing an unprecedented innovation: the ability to write information directly onto the negative using a metal stylus. This feature, designed to work with Autographic 122 film, allowed photographers to record the date, location, or even titles on each photograph—something revolutionary at the time.

The camera featured exceptional construction: a black grained leather body, precision nickel fittings, and original red leather bellows distinctive of the early “Special” luxury series, now almost entirely vanished. This example still retains its original autographic stylus, neatly stored in its rear compartment—an extremely rare detail.

Technically, it is fitted with a Kodak Anastigmat lens mounted on a Kodak Automatic shutter, patented in 1907, offering shutter speeds from Bulb to 1/100 s and an adjustable diaphragm. The front-rail focusing system and fold-out support provided stability and sharpness, delivering results comparable to studio cameras of the era but in a portable format. The mechanical assembly, of admirable precision, still operates smoothly, maintaining consistent performance across all speeds.

The Kodak Anastigmat, derived from the Zeiss Tessar formula, was among the brightest and most optically corrected lenses of its time. Manufactured by Eastman Kodak itself, it delivered excellent sharpness and contrast, eliminating common aberrations found in simpler lenses. At the time, only large-format professional cameras offered lenses of comparable quality, which positioned the 3A Autographic Special at the top of its market segment.

Its format, for 122 roll film, produced negatives of 3¼ × 5½ inches (8.3 × 14 cm), ideal for postcard-size prints, highly popular in the years preceding World War I. This format was adopted by advanced amateurs, travelers, and photojournalists who required portability without sacrificing image quality.

The example presented here is in outstanding condition: shutter operative, smooth diaphragm, clean lenses, and precise mechanics. The exterior leather is intact, the red bellows retain full color and texture, and the interior preserves its original finish.

A piece of extraordinary visual presence, it unites elegance, engineering, and the technical innovation that defined Kodak’s philosophy of “You press the button, we do the rest.” Perfect for exhibition or collection, this camera encapsulates the technological leap from artisanal to modern photography.

This is an exceptional opportunity to own a historical Kodak piece in remarkably preserved condition. It is exceedingly rare to find an example this complete, with original red bellows and intact autographic stylus—both preserved with the same charm they had in 1914. Perfect to stand out in a curated collection or as a centerpiece in a display dedicated to the history of photography, this camera combines beauty, engineering, and a technical legacy that continues to fascinate more than a century later.

Dimensions: 24.3 × 12.3 cm (9.57 × 4.84 in).

History of the Kodak Autographic Special No.3A

The Kodak Autographic Special No.3A was introduced in 1914 as a revolutionary camera within the 122-format range. It was Eastman Kodak’s first model to incorporate the Autographic system, a concept patented by Henry Gaisman that allowed data to be recorded directly onto the negative through a small rear door. This innovation was considered one of Kodak’s greatest contributions to popular photography.

The Special model was aimed at advanced users, with superior materials and a professional-grade optical system. It was equipped with Kodak Anastigmat or Bausch & Lomb Tessar lenses, both of anastigmatic formula, capable of delivering excellent resolution and contrast for the era. Its “Kodak Automatic” shutter was among the first synchronized types with precise timing control, a direct precursor to the German Compur shutters that would dominate the market in the following decade.

Moreover, the No.3A was the model chosen by Kodak for its international campaigns before the Great War, which explains its distribution in Europe and Latin America. Its 122 film format, producing large panoramic negatives, defined the standard for high-quality landscape and portrait photography between 1910 and 1920.

The combination of functional design, artisanal luxury, and optical innovation made the Autographic Special a symbol of its time: the union of art, technique, and portability. Today, examples with red bellows and original stylus represent the finest legacy of Kodak’s pre-war craftsmanship and are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. We are professional antique dealers. To see more photos of this item, Please click on this link:

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