The Eastman Anniversary
Type: Box Rollfilm
USA ( & canada)
Film size 127
Date: May 1930
Model based on no2 hawk-eye premium camera
USA ( & canada)
Film size 127
Date: May 1930
Model based on no2 hawk-
To celebrate Eastman Kodak's 50th Anniversary in 1930, George Eastman made a strategic gesture
of philanthropy to the children of the United States and Canada: 550,000 cameras would be given away
FREE to any child whose 12th birthday fell in 1930. A gold foil seal on the side of the camera
and gold-colored metalwork further added to the uniqueness of this model.
Starting May 1, 1930, a child, accompanied by his parent, needed only present proof of age and received
a new Anniversary Kodak (actually a version of the Rainbow Hawk-Eye camera), instruction manual,
and a roll of Kodak film. The camera came in a specially-designed, art deco cardboard box which is quite hard
to find today.
At a time when many families had been hard hit by the looming Depression, this gift was remembered
for years to come. Eastman's position was simple - in giving away the cameras, he hoped to create life-long
Kodak consumers, since he had always known that it was the film, rather than the cameras, that would
ultimately represent the largest sales potential for the company.
of philanthropy to the children of the United States and Canada: 550,000 cameras would be given away
FREE to any child whose 12th birthday fell in 1930. A gold foil seal on the side of the camera
and gold-
Starting May 1, 1930, a child, accompanied by his parent, needed only present proof of age and received
a new Anniversary Kodak (actually a version of the Rainbow Hawk-
At a time when many families had been hard hit by the looming Depression, this gift was remembered
for years to come. Eastman's position was simple -
ultimately represent the largest sales potential for the company.