Antique Kodak Folding Pocket No.3A Camera with Combination Back, USA, c. 1903-1912

Antique Kodak Folding Pocket No.3A Camera with Combination Back, USA, 1903-1912

This beautiful Kodak Eastman Folding Pocket No.3A camera, manufactured in the United States between 1903 and 1912, belongs to the first major period of folding cameras that transformed portable photography. The example presented here stands out within the early production range thanks to its original burgundy bellows, a feature used by the factory only until 1912, which places us before an early unit, highly appreciated by collectors for its elegance and its clear aesthetic identity. In addition, it incorporates the rare Combination Back, an optional accessory that few units preserve today and which allowed alternating between type 122 roll film and 9×12 cm plates, turning this camera into a surprisingly versatile tool for its time. This hybrid back, with patents registered until 1902, is considered a piece of special interest within the specialized market. Given the dates of the applied patents, which reach only up to 1902, this camera would be closer to having been manufactured around 1903 than around 1912.

The camera body is built with a metal frame covered in dark grained leather, maintaining a firm structure without deformation. Only the expected superficial wear typical of an object more than one century old can be observed, but without structural issues. The opening and closing system works correctly, and the metal bed with mahogany base preserves its original rails, clean and in good condition, allowing the optical block to advance smoothly. The burgundy leather bellows are extraordinarily well preserved, flexible, with intact folds and, most importantly, without light leaks, an essential detail in a folding camera of such age. The fittings remain stable, without significant oxidation or looseness, showing Kodak’s build quality in its first major industrial stage.

In the optical section, this specimen stands out especially for mounting a prestigious Hermagis Aplanastigmat 1:6.8 F=160 mm, serial number 170777, manufactured in Paris. Hermagis lenses were for decades synonymous with professional quality, appreciated both for their sharpness and for their correction of aberrations in medium format and plate cameras. The shutter responds correctly in its modes and times, a highly valued quality in cameras of this period.

The most singular element of this unit is, without a doubt, the Combination Back, an accessory that Kodak offered as an advanced option and which allowed the photographer to choose between 122 film or 9×12 plates. The interior of the back remains clean, without oxidation, with the roll holders in good condition and with the identifying plate that lists the main United States patents from the period 1895–1902.

For its balance between aesthetics, rarity and preservation, this camera becomes an ideal piece for demanding collectors. The elegance of the burgundy bellows, the presence of a high-quality Hermagis lens, the operability of the shutter and the rarity of the Combination Back form a perfect ensemble for any showcase dedicated to the history of photography. Its decorative presence is magnificent, standing out in a private collection or in an exhibition space dedicated to the technical evolution of portable cameras.

Few cameras from this period have survived so complete, with rare elements such as the Combination Back and a high-grade Hermagis lens. Its solid structure, its light-tight bellows and its overall functioning make it a camera of exceptional appeal. Ideal for completing a collection or as a gift for someone special.

Measurements: 12.2 × 24.5 cm (4.80 × 9.65 in).

History of the Kodak Eastman Folding Pocket No.3 Mod A

The Kodak Eastman Folding Pocket No.3 Mod A was developed as part of George Eastman’s push toward more portable, accessible and easy-to-handle cameras, in contrast to the bulky studio models or rigid box cameras of the late nineteenth century. The transition toward folding cameras, initiated by Kodak at the beginning of the twentieth century, revolutionized both domestic and professional photography, offering for the first time equipment that combined mobility, quality and versatility. The Folding Pocket series was designed to use roll film, a system introduced by Kodak that greatly facilitated photographic practice and reduced costs compared to the exclusive use of plates.

The No.3 Mod A model began production in 1903 and remained in the catalogue until 1915, a period in which Kodak managed to consolidate its market and refine the mechanics of its folding cameras. Early versions, manufactured until approximately 1912, featured burgundy bellows, while later ones adopted the more typical black color of the period. During its production, one of the most innovative elements was the Combination Back, an optional accessory that allowed switching between 122 film format and 9×12 cm plates. This hybrid capability responded to the needs of photographers who required both the flexibility of roll film and the precision of plates, especially in fields such as portraiture, travel and documentary photography.

The Hermagis lens found in some units demonstrates the occasional collaboration between Kodak and prestigious European manufacturers. Hermagis, founded in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century, was one of the great French optical firms, appreciated for its fast, sharp and well-corrected lenses. Its presence on an American model reinforces the international character that the photographic industry already possessed at that time.

Today, the Kodak Folding Pocket No.3 Mod A is considered a key piece in the development of portable photography, especially valued when it preserves rare accessories such as the Combination Back.