Peace and Micky

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The Peace and Micky are Japanese subminiature cameras made in the late 1940s or early 1950s, taking 14×14mm pictures on 17.5mm paper backed rollfilm.

General description

The Peace and Micky are functionally similar to the Hit-type cameras, but have a somewhat different aspect. All the models share the same body. There is no top casing, and the viewfinder is a torpedo-shaped tubular part, screwed to the top plate. (This arrangement is reminiscent of the Boltax.) The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's left, and the back is hinged to the left. The self-cocking shutter gives Bulb and Instant settings.[1]

Versions

The original Peace has a button to lock the back. The lens has no marking, and the shutter plate is all black, with inscriptions embossed in relief: PEACE at the top and R.K. at the bottom.[2]

The Peace III has a modified back latch consisting of a sliding bar. Its red window is shaped as a dual kidney bean, and is protected by a cover sliding to the right. The shutter plate is black with silver inscriptions: PEACE at the top and III R.K. at the bottom. The lens is engraved KOWA 1:4.5 or KŌWA Anastigmat 1:4.5.[3]

The Micky, has a spring-loaded back latch, and a round uncovered red window. The viewfinder slightly differs from that of the Peace and Peace III, and has both a shorter length and a wider diameter. The shutter plate is silver with black markings: MICKY at the top and 20mm at the bottom, obviously indicating the focal length of the lens. The lens rim itself has the aperture 1=3.5 and a serial number.[4]

Origin

The manufacturer of the Peace and Micky is completely unknown, as well as the meaning of the initials "R.K." There are strong hints that the Baby Flex and Peace Baby Flex subminiature pseudo TLR were made by the same company. It is not known if the Kōwa lens of the Peace III was supplied by the well-known Kowa company or if the name similarity is a coincidence.

Notes

  1. B and I: Sugiyama, items 5104–5.
  2. Examples pictured in Sugiyama, item 5104, and in Pritchard, p.77.
  3. KOWA 1:4.5: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 5105. KŌWA Anastigmat 1:4.5: examples pictured in McKeown, p.773, as lot no.443 of Westlicht Photographica Auction no.1, in this page at Submin.com, and in this page of the Western Photographic Historical Society.
  4. Example pictured in this page at Submin.com, with lens no.1450.

Bibliography

  • McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.773.
  • Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. P.77.
  • Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 5104–5.

The Peace and Micky are not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.

Links

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