Kodak Bullet Camera Value Guide

The Kodak Bullet Camera is a quintessential example of Art Deco industrial design, crafted by the renowned Walter Dorwin Teague in 1936. This compact 127 film camera is highly collectible for its sleek, streamlined bakelite body and its historical significance as an affordable luxury during the Great Depression.

What affects the value of Kodak Bullet Camera?

• Physical condition of the bakelite, specifically looking for chips, cracks, or hairline fractures.
• Functionality of the telescoping lens threads and the shutter firing mechanism.
• Presence of the original box or manual, which can push the value toward the $45 range.
• Clarity of the glass lens and the absence of corrosion on the internal metal components.

How to Identify Kodak Bullet Camera?

• Check for the signature telescoping lens mount that screws out from the black bakelite body.
• Verify the 'Kodak Bullet' branding typically found on the faceplate or molded into the back.
• Confirm the material is authentic high-shine bakelite rather than modern plastics.
• Look for the internal film winding mechanism designed specifically for 127 roll film.

History of Kodak Bullet Camera

Designed by the legendary industrial designer Walter Dorwin Teague in 1936, the Kodak Bullet embodies the streamlined Art Deco aesthetic of the era. It featured a telescoping lens mount and was marketed as a compact, affordable consumer camera during the Great Depression. Its sleek, black bakelite body made it a stylish accessory as much as a functional photographic tool.