Impression Sketch
of two officers of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment pose for the camera in
February 1915 (the officer on the right is holding a Vest Pocket Kodak) - By
Jamie Mann. An original images can be seen at:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2014/jun/13/first-world-war-soldiers-perspective-in-pictures#img-1
For more details
on this WW1 gadget, equal to today's mobile cameras, see article, 'The Vest Pocket Kodak was the
Soldier’s Camera':
http://blog.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/2014/03/13/the-vest-pocket-kodak-was-the-soldiers-camera/
Picture a picture
of a new small gadget,
Something the
size of the hand of a man.
A compact machine,
shown actual size,
Under the heading
'Give him a soldier's Kodak.'
This war is
different from wars before -
So is suggestion
to solve a problem,
Of giving a
friend or relative about
To leave for the
front; a brand new pocket Kodak.
Precise as a
watch, to tell the story
Of Australians -
Kodak from Sydney,
NE and all states
for soldier’s desire
To record
memories, on a cartridge film of Kodak.
Vest pocket
cameras extend to open
Ready, as shown
in operation, by any
Hand - all laid
out in black and white -
An ideal gift for
a soldier; to the front with Kodak.
Ideal gift for
any Anzac, is this vest
Pocket Kodak - small
thin and flat
Slightly bigger
than a cigarette case,
To fit in a tunic
pocket - he's armed with a Kodak.
Light, small and strong - a VPK made
Of steel and
aluminum - to take rough
Rides, strong enough to stop a bullet
As some already
have done - is armor of Kodak.
A gadget that is
simplicity itself -
No need to
understand workings.
Usage can be
learnt in 30 minutes -
No attachments; simplicity is the word of Kodak.
Always ready for
action to capture
A moment, the VPK
is never in way.
Extend the front
and press trigger -
A picture is made
- 8 can be taken with a Kodak.
Easy to load as a
revolver, with image
Size 2 1/2 long 11/4
in. wide, to enlarge
To any size - A
single lens can capture
In bright
sunshine; so is the advantage of Kodak.
The anastigmatic
lens type is best
For the soldier
- twice as fast in light
That is less than
good, a 50/- model;
The film
cartridge always gives quality in Kodak.
The film stays
fresh for 12 months;
Ideal for the
soldier faced with delays
In front line
developing - or to send
Home for
printing, with a good dealer of Kodak.
The proof is in
the picture displays,
Made from
soldiers VPK negatives.
So if you have an
Anzac relative, arm
Him with Kodak -
as easy to shoot as a revolver.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915.
Advert: Give Him a Soldier's Kodak. The Sydney Morning Herald, [online] 14 Apr. P.7. Col.5-8. Available at: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/1275186?zoomLevel=1
[Accessed: 20 April 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 20 April 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Western front #WW1Australia #WW1Anzac
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