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Two Vintage 5x7 photos of the Varsity mini-camera prototype, mounted in folder
Thanks to Ian in the UK, I am now able to identify the camera prototype in these two photos: it is the Varsity Model V or "Streamline." Ian kindly sent me a scan of an advertisement for the camera (image 5) that appeared in a 1938 "Johnson-Smith Novelty catalogue." (Coronet in the UK also made a Varsity camera, but it was a box camera.)
The advertisement says that the Varsity is the "only camera that carries a spare film right in the camera itself" (the compartment is clearly visible in the left photo). It took a proprietary roll film which sold for 25 cents. The camera itself listed for 45 cents. The ad says the camera produces images 1 1/2 " X 1 1/4" and is made of Durez plastic (a trade name for a Bakelite-type plastic commonly used for inexpensive cameras in the 1930s and 1940s).
Aside from the ad and a short reference in McKeown's and a couple photos on collectibles websites (e. g. InValuable) virtually nothing is known about this camera.Its size and specifications make it reminiscent of the Norton and Univex Model A cameras, which were both introduced in the 1930s and shared the proprietary film business strategy. (See Cynthia Repinski's book, The Univex Story.)
The folder and the images were apparently poked by a small, pointed object at some time. This broke through the cardboard folder and left rough holes in both images about 5mm in size (see the arrows in photos 3 and 4). Each photo has a smaller impression (about 3mm in size), apparently of the same origin but not breaking through the print surface.There is a small area of silvering on the left edge of the right photo (see photo 4).
The images are sharp and have a warm black tonality.
This item isnot part of the Argus Museum Collection.
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