Collector Camera Appraisal

Brownie Starflash Camera

The item is a vintage Brownie Starflash Camera, a classic box-style camera produced by Kodak. It features a predominantly black plastic body with a distinctive integrated flash unit on the top front. The flash unit has a large, circular, brass or gold-toned reflector dish, which shows significant signs of age, including tarnishing, pitting, and some minor dents or surface irregularities. In the center of the reflector is the bulb socket, currently holding a clear, presumably flashbulb. Below the flash unit, the camera's front face is a silver-toned metal plate, providing a contrast to the black body. This plate features the lens opening in the center, which appears to be fixed focus, along with a small viewfinder window. The branding 'Brownie' is visible in red script above the lens, and 'STARFLASH CAMERA' is inscribed in a semi-circular fashion around the bottom of the lens. Additional text like 'Kodak' and 'MADE IN USA' might be present but are not clearly legible from the image. A red button or lever is visible on the left side of the silver face, likely the shutter release. The camera is equipped with a black fabric or elasticized strap attached to the sides, indicating it was designed for portability. The strap shows some wear and possible fraying consistent with its age. The overall condition suggests this is a used item with visible signs of handling and storage wear, including dust accumulation and surface abrasions on the plastic body and particularly on the flash reflector. The design points to a mid-20th century style, likely from the 1950s or early 1960s, reflecting the simple and user-friendly aesthetic of popular consumer cameras of that era. The construction appears to be molded plastic for the body, with metal components for the flash reflector and front plate, and a glass or plastic lens element. The simplicity of its design suggests it was an entry-level camera, focusing on ease of use rather than advanced photographic features. Its primary unique aspect is the integrated flash, which was a significant convenience feature for amateur photographers at the time.