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My Brownie Smile

by

Courtesy of Girl Scouts of the USA

So what do you think I have a Brownie smile about?

Not this .....

And yes, I still have my Brownie uniform. Was I ever that small?

Nope it's this...

You see while cleaning out my husband's home office closet I found a box with a lot of film negatives and film related stuff in it. It was a box I had taken home from my Mom's house a few years ago that I never really did anything with. Just been sitting, gathering dust all this time. So I started digging through it and I found this box for a Kodak Brownie Starlet camera (circa 1957-1962).

And there was a camera in the box. But it wasn't a Starlet camera it was a Brownie Starmite II camera (circa 1962-1967).

OK, not sure why that was in a box that didn't belong to it, but it is a cute camera.

So it got me thinking that since I had one vintage camera that I never knew I had, I should pick up a few more and then I could have a collection. Can't have a vintage camera collection with only one vintage camera now can we?

So Sunday night I scoured eBay and didn't find anything that thrilled me. But when I stopped by an antique store on Monday I ran across this...

Look it's a Kodak Brownie Starlet camera (circa 1956)!!!

I love the black and cream of the case on this. Almost looks like Bakelite.


Could it be the same camera as I had a now empty box for?

Shoot, not the same as the picture on the box. Oh well, it would have been too weird of a coincidence if it had been. I mean, Kodak made 100's of different cameras.

I also found this cool envelope in the box.

The graphic is pretty much iconic 1950's.

So, two cameras, one box and an envelope is the start of the collection!

Now I'll have to get that Brownie song out of my head! I've something in my pocket ...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robin

    I love your collection! I think old camera's are so cool and fun. Been thinking of starting a collection of my own, now you have me wanting to run out to the store to pick a few up.

    So awsome that you were able to find one so smiliar.

  2. JunqueMagnet

    Looks good.We like to use old cameras and old movie cameras as bookends around here!

  3. Ann

    I still have my uniform, beanie cap and even a purse!

    Cool camera. I think they look great sitting on a shelf with books. Makes me think....I have my old Polaroid "swinger" in the basement, my 1st camera. Maybe I better dig it out!

  4. NanaDiana

    Pam- What a neat camera- well, both of them! I grew up with one of those old Brownie Cameras...it looked like a box though.

    I guess you will be posting some "new fangled" pictures soon?>) xxoo Diana

  5. Cat Nap Inn Primitives

    love your little collection..love that vintage stuff.;)

  6. [email protected]

    First, the cameras are super cool, nice collection to start...Second, those borders/frames are AWESOME!!!!

  7. Olive Cooper

    You got the frames up and they look good. The cameras are cute. Joe has several vintage cameras at the yellow house. I wonder how much cool stuff our parents tossed?

  8. Brenda Kula

    It sure is a collection! That would be a great one to display across a mantel or some shelf.
    Brenda

  10. Country Dreaming

    It's funny that you would post about this today, because yesterday I put my Brownie and an old Polaroid camera on our mantle down in our family room.
    I'd also like a couple more cameras too.

    How fun!

    Melinda

  11. La

    What a fun new collection of vintage cameras. Enjoy!

  12. Pamela

    Cool Pam!! I love this vintage stuff!
    I was a Brownie for about 2weeks!!

  13. Shirley

    OMGosh Pam, Are you kidding? First, that GS uniform is beautiful..I really thought your post would be on the GS. I was excited as I found a vey old GS maunual..Anyway, then I saw the camera..Oh what a find. Keep them forever..they say if you own 3 of something it is a indeed a collection...one more camera to go..
    Thanks for the comment on my swan bowl..it is awesome..I need a new CAMERA (haha) that takes better pics than mine. Or maybe it's my lighting..bet your new/old camera's would do the trick!
    Smile,
    Shirley

  14. Donnie

    That would make an interesting collection. My grandsons are scouts and enjoy it a lot.

  15. Jane

    Yep...you definitely have the start of a collection! I've got a collection of cameras too. They are fun to look for.
    I noticed the frames around the pictures, looks like you figured out photoshop!
    Now I will be singing the Brownie song all night...and you will be to blame!
    Jane

  16. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜

    Throw me back in time why don't you!!~ OH my I loved being a cute little brownie. What a neat camera, that is a keeper!

  17. Crystal Jeffers

    I only was in GS for 1 year, and had completely forgotten that song until I read it here. Now its stuck in my brain and I think I will have to teach it to my own daughter who is a brownie right now.
    I love the vintage cameras! I have always loved vintage cameras and black and white photography. there is something really beautiful about the old pictures! I suggest adding some to your collection to make it fun. Especially if you have any old snap shots of family members.

  18. Coloradolady

    What great cameras to have. We have one or two, but none like this. Happy VTT!

  19. Honey at 2805

    You know the saying "great minds think alike". Well we certainly on the same page today with Brownies. I'll have to remember that little song. Many thanks. Please drop by to see my one (not a collection) Brownie.

  20. Honey at 2805

    You know the saying "great minds think alike". Well we certainly on the same page today with Brownies. I'll have to remember that little song. Many thanks. Please drop by to see my one (not a collection) Brownie.

  21. Honey at 2805

    You know the saying "great minds think alike". Well we certainly on the same page today with Brownies. I'll have to remember that little song. Many thanks. Please drop by to see my one (not a collection) Brownie.

  22. P.

    I had totally forgotten about that Brownie song until now! Cool that you kept your uniform too.

    Both of those cameras are fabulous! Wouldn't you love to know if they still worked (if you could still get film, that is).

  23. Postcardy

    I like the way you displayed the pictures on your post.

  24. Moogie

    I'm your newest follower. http://moogieland.blogspot.com/

  25. Annie

    I remember having a Brownie Starmite! Took loads of b&w photos with it. And, yes, I'm still a Girl Scout (life member), so will sing the "Brown Smile Song" along with you!

  26. Happy Cottage Quilter

    What a very fun post. Great cameras.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

  27. Anna

    This was such a fun post. Very nice way to start a collection. My dad was into photography for a very long time, I wish he had saved his cameras.

  28. All That Glitters

    That is the cutest outfit!