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Bullet Camera

Decorative Arts and Design

MANUFACTURER Eastman Kodak Co.
MEDIUM Bakelite, metal, glass
DATES 1880s-1905
DIMENSIONS 2 3/4 × 4 7/8 × 1 7/8 in. (7 × 12.4 × 4.8 cm) mount: 2 3/4 × 4 3/4 × 3 in. (7 × 12.1 × 7.6 cm)  (show scale)
MARKINGS Marked on front of camera, raised letters on ring framing lens: "BULLET / CAMERA" On back of camera, raised letters below viewfinder: "MADE IN U.S.A. BY EASTMAN KODAK CO. ROCHESTER, N.Y."
ACCESSION NUMBER 1998.143.4
CREDIT LINE Gift of Eva, Alan, and Louis Brill
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Hand-held "Bullet" camera with streamlined, black Bakelite body, chromed metal accents, and glass lens. Rectangular body has curved sides and back; raised parallel horizontal lines run across back and front. Centered on front, a protruding convex disk with raised ring in center framing lens; shutter release lever and another button (both chromed metal) on either side of lens. Each side has chromed metal bracketing, proper left bracket attached with screws. Centered on the back is a rose-colored, round, glass port to allow the film's frame numbers to be noted and to avoid double exposures; the port also indicates when the last frame has been exposed and the roll is ready to be extracted. In center on top, chromed metal mount for flash. On bottom, proper right side is a dial for advancing film. CONDITION: Good; light scratches all over body; chromed metal somewhat tarnished.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Walter Dorwin Teague (American, 1883-1960). Bullet Camera, 1880s-1905. Bakelite, metal, glass, 2 3/4 × 4 7/8 × 1 7/8 in. (7 × 12.4 × 4.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Eva, Alan, and Louis Brill, 1998.143.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1998.143.4_front_bw.jpg)
IMAGE front, 1998.143.4_front_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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