Undoubtedly a masterpiece, the Kodak Bantam Special is considered an icon in the classic design style of the 1930’s. A machined die-cast aluminum body with an enamel finish, coupled with high-quality optics, made this camera as functional as it was beautiful. A limited edition design launched in 1936, the Bantam is a rare and sought-after collectors item. In case you’re wondering, yes, we’ve got one.
Personally I love the Bantam, it really is “special.” But I also love Teague’s Kodak Beau Brownie. A few months ago I came across an old leather-like Brownie camera case on the side of the road, pretty cool; I scooped it up, cleaned it up, and brought it into the studio to accompany our small Beau Brownie camera collection.
The collection is in plain view in our CEO’s office, I pass by it often; when I brought in the case, setting it oh-so-carefully next to one of the Brownies, I realized that while I’d often looked at the collection, I rarely saw it. Kinda reminds me of the good ole days, when you’d buy a detachable face stereo for your car. At first you handle it like a delicate flower, admiring it, keeping it in its case and taking it into the house each and every night. After a little awhile, you opt instead for tossing it under your seat and crossing your fingers. How quick the new becomes old…I’d been taking our Brownie collection for granted—the fact that we had it, that it’s part of our history, Teague’s legacy…running my fingers across the two-tone enamel, the heavy geometric lines, I have a much greater appreciation, for who Teague was, and who we are.
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Please, please let me know where I can acquire this reproduction of the 1936 Kodak Bantam Special? Is it a working replica (I hope). If you could let me know, I would really appreciate it. Thanx.
No mention in the text of this being a replica. From the serial number on the lens (EOxxxx), it looks as though this camera was made in 1946. Or if it is (ECxxxx) 1941. Hard to tell from the pic for me. CAMEROSITY is the code word, place a 1 under “C”, 2 under the “A” and so on.
wow