This is my fist of what I’m hoping to be weekly posts on cameras in my collection as well as what my interests are in collecting, which are pretty much anything photographic with a few exceptions.
In my posting, I’d rather let you know how I came across certain cameras and the story behind it as opposed to physical facts on the camera which are pretty easy to find on the web. If you have questions, concerns or comments about my collection, as specific camera, or just want to discuss your collection, I’m always open to comments here.
In this post, I wanted to discuss what is one of the rarer cameras to have in my collection, the Kodak Super Six-20 camera. It’s estimated this camera was produced for 6 years, from 1938-1944, and due to the expense of the camera ($225.00) during these days, there were only about 720 made. It was also the camera that started “Auto Exposure” in production cameras. I think one of the neatest thing about this and other Kodaks, was it was designed by Joseph Mihalyi and Walter Dorwin Teague. Walter Teague designed the Kodak Beau Brownies, and one of my all time designs in a camera, the Bantam Special along with many other cameras, radios and other products.
How I got this beauty, or at least the first one as this is the second. When I was in Los Angeles, I read on Craigslist there was someone selling one which peaked my interest. I called and talked to the owner a few times after emailing back and forth. We finally determined a good place to meet where I could finally see this camera they were touting as in “great condition”. We met and the pewrson had the camera in a case and when they pulled it out, I was slightly disappointed as the camera was in pretty rough shape. The camera was missing a few screws and wouldn’t stay open and the stand on the front door was missing. After discussing with the owner what was wrong with the camera, they knoew it was fairly valuable, so we agreed on a price for it which was OK, not great, but I now own one which made me happy.
I put it on my shelf and had it for about a year or so when my wife and I moved to a new location. After getting settled in, I saw the local camera collectors were having a swap meet. Something I love doing. I signed up for the swap meet which was a couple hours away from where we live. I packed up the night before and added the Super Six-20 in the camera tubs to bring with me. At the show was kept circling back at least 3-4 times and looking at the camera. We started up a conversation and he said he’s always wanted to own one and he even had a copy (photocopy) of the instructions. He said he didn’t mind the imperfections with the missing screws and foot on the camera. He said he’d even send me a copy of the instructions if I’d sell him ths model.
Soon after I sold this version, I saw another for sale on eBay which had the box, foot and was in better physical shape with the exception of some minor leatherette missing on the front door which you can see in the photos below. The price I sold the first one allowed me to purchase the newer one with the box and now a photocopy of the instructions as well.
If you have comments, concerns, or questions, I look forward to hearing from you. If you have items you’re looking to move, please email me on my contact page, as I’m always looking.
