In the digital age we take metadata for granted. In the fraction of a second that we press the shutter the camera doesn’t just capture the image but a whole host of additional information – the camera being used, the lens, the focal length, the ISO, shutter, aperture, the date, time and in some cases the GPS co-ordinates of the location where the image was captured.
We can add to these quickly and easily, permanently marking our images with keywords and descriptions that help us to organise a growing library. In the modern world data really is king.
“You know what I really enjoy? Writing metadata…”
No-one in the last 100 years…
I have a love for vintage cameras. In much the same way that classic car lovers see cars, I appreciate the technical prowess of modern digital cameras but for me I miss the construction, tactility and mechanical interface that classic cameras have. Some of them work even without batteries – can you imagine!!
I’ve recently added a new camera to my collection that I’ve been after for a little while – a Kodak No. 2A Folding Autographic Brownie. This particular one dates back to 1915-1926 and is in beautiful condition. There’s something very specific about this camera that I absolutely love and is the reason I’ve been after one. The key is in the term ‘Autographic’.
Auto-what now?
The Autographic system was developed by Kodak way back in 1914 (Well, it was actually patented by Henry Jacques Gaisman who also invented the safety razor but George Eastman purchased the rights for US$300,000) and used a combination of Autographic cameras and film that allowed the photographer to permanently sign, date and title their negatives at the time of exposure.
“Any negative worth the making is worth a date and title.”
Original ad for the Kodak Autographic System from 1915
The original ad from 1915 hailed the system as ‘The biggest photographic advance in twenty years’ and showed an example exposed negative with added Autographic record in the margin.
The back of the camera featured a little door and a (beautifully etched) metal stylus.
Opening the door revealed a little strip of tissue-like carbon paper and the photographer could write any notes they liked (within the limitations of the space!). The note is exposed by keeping the door open for a few seconds and would then appear in the margin of the processed print. There you have it – 100 year old metadata!
When they first introduced the Autographic system, Kodak even offered back upgrades for their current cameras to make them compatible with the new system.
R.I.P Autographic (1914-1932)
Sadly, the system never really took off and it was discontinued in 1932. However, the idea of the tiny stylus and the little door is so beautifully simple and at the same time incredibly over-engineered (it’s no coincidence that the majority of these cameras seem to be missing the stylus!) that I absolutely fell in love with it and it’s taken pride of place among the other vintage cameras that adorn the shelves of my office.
While I love data as much as the next man, don’t try and tell me that entering keywords in Lightroom makes you smile. In fact, I think adding keywords to images is the single most tedious task when editing. Prising open a tiny little door and writing your notes with a miniature metal stylus? Now that’s how to add metadata with a smile on your face.
Jeroen Hensen
24th February 2019 at 5:16 pm
Lovely. I have the same one already for years. Pen is missing 🙁
Simon Wiffen
24th February 2019 at 5:18 pm
Ah yeah seems to be very common unsurprisingly. Most of the ones I looked at were missing but found this one in great condition. S’a lovely camera. Just debating attempting to put a roll of film through it.
Jane Taylor
29th April 2020 at 7:13 pm
Found this camera when clearing dads house out.In good condition with film in back .How do I get developed.
Simon Wiffen
29th April 2020 at 7:26 pm
Hi Jane – what an excellent find! I don’t suppose you have any idea how long the film has been in there? Autographic film is long gone. Closest match you can get now is 120 film I believe and there are still places you can get that developed. If you take it out and it’s old autographic film (or it could be 116 which is similar) it’s possible someone developing 120 can do it for you. If you Google 120 film developing there are quite a few places depending on where you’re based so I’d maybe email them and see if they can help. No guarantee the film will come out but will be exciting to find out! Please do let me know if you get it developed and the images come out – I’d love to know what’s on there!
Stuart
5th June 2020 at 7:01 pm
I have the same camera complete with stylus. Belonged to my great uncle and aunt who brought my mother up as a child. Have all the photos taken with it including a small suede pocket album of the period. No original negatives though.
Simon Wiffen
5th June 2020 at 7:04 pm
Ah how wonderful. I’d love to see some of the photos. Out of curiosity did they actually use the stylus? Wonder how many actually used it and how many just left it tucked in the back.
Paul L Rentz
24th July 2020 at 4:14 pm
Okay Simon, how did they do this? It’s in the image area not border. https://flic.kr/p/4Hf5L9
Simon Wiffen
24th July 2020 at 4:29 pm
Hi Paul. That looks more like they’ve just etched the note directly onto the negative or paper in the darkroom to me. My dad did something similar to add his band’s name as ‘graffiti’ on a wall in a promo shot for his band in the 60s!
Paul L Rentz
24th July 2020 at 4:20 pm
You might find this interesting as well, ‘Road Trip 1931’, pre-hotels, etc. https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJnqT3T
Simon Wiffen
24th July 2020 at 4:30 pm
Ah thanks – will check it out! 👍🏻
Paul L Rentz
24th July 2020 at 4:22 pm
I would think this is the camera they used so I don’t see any little door to do it. Full details of that camera here- https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYmhxcY
Bariss Bull
2nd November 2021 at 2:54 am
Hi Simon, At last I found someone who has the same camera that I have started using over the last year and a half. Please may I ask, have you tried using a film as yet? The film to use is 120 and I am about to try my third spool. You have probably worked out the old 116 spool is a bit larger, by the way, is the original 116 spool still in the camera? If so then your task is made a lot easier. You have to make up spool packers and the results are very good. The camera I have was made in Canada in 1917 and I had to make up a new bellows for it, it was riddled with pinholes. I am told that it will take color 120 so am looking forward to using some. I am still learning the ins and outs but you can find instruction manuals by Kodak online.
Simon Wiffen
2nd November 2021 at 6:43 am
Hi Bariss, no I’ve not actually run a film through this as yet although I’d love to at some point. Spool is intact and as far as I can tell the bellows appear to be in really good condition so would be great to test it. Great to hear you’ve had success with yours – would love to see the results you’ve got from it! Do you have them posted anywhere? S
Terese M Mack
16th December 2023 at 9:15 pm
Found my Grandfathers autographic Kodak camera. Pen is on the outside. How can you get it open and release the pen! Exciting!
Simon Wiffen
17th December 2023 at 7:51 am
Hi Terese – How exciting! And great the pen is still attached! The pen slides into the end of the door so you should be able to just slide it out (it may be a little stiff if it’s not been used for a while) and the door should just open. You can open the door with the pen still attached which might help you removing the pen if it’s a bit stuck. Hope that helps! S
Richard jones
27th September 2024 at 12:20 pm
My F-in-L’s pocket autographic we found in his house after he passed, in a brown leather pouch, closed with a press stud. Stylus still there. I ordered two films online, each holding 8 shots.
The first roll we used on the Western Front, near Thiepval, in France. Poignant in that this camera was known as the soldiers camera, it not being much bigger than a modern mobile phone.
Anyway, I digress. Shots came out beautifully atmospheric. I tried not to include modern accoutrements in the shots, but got things like the Miracle Tree at Beaumont-in-Hamel, and a barbed wire fence post in No Man’s Land. I’ve had the second roll in the fridge since I bought it. May have to fire it off soon.
Simon Wiffen
27th September 2024 at 12:49 pm
Thanks for taking the time to comment Robert. So glad you were able to run a film through – would love to see the images you got back! As you say, a very appropriate subject to capture.
Richard Jones
16th November 2024 at 7:33 pm
Happy to share with you. How shall I show you them?
Richard Jones
16th November 2024 at 7:44 pm
Shared via Instagram.
Simon Wiffen
16th November 2024 at 8:28 pm
Ah thanks so much for sending those over, they’re great!
Paul Galvani
19th March 2025 at 6:19 pm
I have two of these original Kodak scribes, in case anyone is interested in buying one.