The Boston Camera Company was founded in 1884 by Samuel N. Turner. It was located at 36 India Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1887 the Boston Reversible Back view Camera was introduced

In 1888 the Boston Camera Co. introduced the Hawk-eye detective camera which proved to a success.

Also in 1888 Samuel Turner established a relationship with Thomas Blair of the Blair Camera Co. Blair was a master of marketing and sales and acted as Turner's sales agent.

In 1892 Turner applied for a patent, No. 539,713, for daylight loading, paper-backed roll film and it was granted on August 10, 1895. It was rolled on a spool so that the paper backing in combination with the spools end flanges on either end protected it from light exposure prior to use. Additionally the paper backing included a sequential number evenly spaced as to define how the next image staring point. With this invention, The Boston Camera company introduced the Bulls-eye Box camera. This box camera featured the new roll film and a red window in the back to be able to see an exposure count, as was printed on the roll film paper backing. Thomas Blair continued to sell bulls-eye camera in Europe.

In 1894 due to the success and innovative design of the Turner Roll film, George Eastman purchased a license from the Boston Camera Co. At this time the company was advertised as being located at 380 Tremont St. Boston, Mass., a few blocks down from the Blair camera company.

On the 23rd of August 1895, S. N. Turner sold the patents, trade marks, and business of the Boston Camera Company to George Eastman of the Eastman Kodak Company. The selling price included cost of inventory and $22,000.

In approximately 1913 the last Bulls-eye labeled camera was discontinued from the Eastman Kodak line.


Ref:
1916 Federal Reporter - United States v. Eastman Kodak
2006 McKeown's Price Guide to antique and classic cameras

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CLICK HERE for a Listing of the Boston Camera Company cameras.

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2012-03-17 05:52:36