Vest Pocket Kodak Model B Value Guide

The Vest Pocket Kodak Model B is a landmark of portable photography, continuing the legacy of the 'Soldier's Camera' that gained fame during WWI. Produced between 1925 and 1934, its innovative folding design allowed it to fit into a standard vest pocket, making high-quality photography accessible to the general public.

What Is Vest Pocket Kodak Model B Worth?

The typical price range for Vest Pocket Kodak Model B is $30 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the bellows, as light leaks or brittle leather significantly reduce the value below the $50 mark.
• Mechanical functionality of the shutter and the clarity of the glass lens elements.
• Presence of the original stylus used for the autographic feature, which is often missing in examples valued at $30.
• Overall aesthetic state of the black enamel finish and the integrity of the leatherette covering.

How to Identify Vest Pocket Kodak Model B?

• Check for the 'Vest Pocket Kodak Model B' name stamped into the metal faceplate or the leatherette body.
• Verify the presence of the autographic window on the back, a signature feature of this era's Kodak models.
• Examine the bellows for the specific black fabric or leather construction used during the 1925-1934 production run.
• Look for the Meniscus or Periscopic lens housed within the compact, rectangular folding frame.

History of Vest Pocket Kodak Model B

The Vest Pocket Kodak, introduced in 1912, revolutionized personal photography. Its small size made it popular with soldiers during WWI, earning it the nickname 'Soldier's Camera'. The Model B, a later iteration, continued this legacy of accessible and convenient photography for the masses.