Cameras/1939 NY World's Fair Bullet Camera
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Question
I am trying to find the value of this camera. The one I have is still in its original box. Great condition for its age. I have seen them on Ebay for anywhere from $200 to $1000 and that seems a bit extreme. How do I know what it's really worth?
Hello Amy,
The Bullet is an art deco inspired simple plastic snapshot camera, with unusual helical telescoping front section, made by Eastman Kodak from 1936 to 1942, for 1 5/8 x 2 1/2 inch exposures on old #127 roll film. Kodak sold zillions of them, and excellent examples only go for around $10 today. However, in 1939 and 1940 Kodak produced a limited edition of perhaps 10,000 Bullet cameras featuring a special faceplate commemorating the New York World's Fair. Needless to say, far fewer than 10,000 have survived, and they have the cross collectible interest as World's Fair items as well as an interesting camera variation. Although not particularly rare, in fact not necessarily all that uncommon, an excellent example of the New York World's Fair Bullet camera should still sell for at least $200 today by itself, but with the original box the price can easily double, possibly reaching as much as $500 total if the box is in completely whole and intact original shape with the instructions.
Best wishes,
David Silver
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David Silver
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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