As
snapshot photography became more popular, people began to take their film
to photo finishers for developing and printing rather than sending it away to
Kodak or doing it themselves. Film wallets were the most popular receptacle for
delivering and storing prints and negatives.
These envelopes often sported
ads and the Kodak Girl in her distinctive striped dress graced many a cover along
with the name and address of the shop. Some designs were drawn and printed locally
while others apparently were issued by Eastman Kodak. I have wallets with
similar designs from New York, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Belfast, Melbourne,
and even Columbo, Ceylon.
An interesting benefit of collecting film wallets
is that they often still contain their original prints and negatives. It's
a poignant mystery how and why these very personal documents became separated
from the families whose lives inspired their creation. |
