Description
This listing is for an original antique ICA Icarette folding camera, dating from approximately the early to mid-1920s, complete with a vintage leather carrying case.
The Icarette was a well-made German folding camera produced by ICA (Internationale Camera A.-G.) of Dresden before ICA became part of Zeiss Ikon in 1926.
This example is a traditional folding roll-film camera, most likely from the 6 x 9 cm Icarette 498/1 family, with a leather-covered metal body, extending bellows, folding bed, wire frame finder and brilliant optical finder.
The front of the shutter is attractively marked “Icarette” in script and the camera is fitted with an Anastigmat-type lens.
The camera folds down into a compact rectangular body when not in use and is accompanied by an attractive brown leather carrying case with shoulder strap.
Features include:
- Maker: ICA / Internationale Camera A.-G.
- Model family: Icarette
- Approximate date: c.1920–1926
- Country of manufacture: Germany
- Folding bellows construction
- Roll-film camera
- Approximate 6 x 9 cm format
- Anastigmat-type lens
- Mechanical leaf shutter (tested and working)
- Folding wire frame finder
- Brilliant optical finder
- Distance focusing scale
- Leather-covered metal body
- Camera size (when folded): 125mm (L) x 73mm (H) x 30mm (D)
- Original/vintage leather carrying case included
Condition:
The camera is in used antique condition with substantial age-related wear.
The leather covering shows rubbing, fading, scratches and areas of surface loss. The metalwork has marks, tarnishing and oxidation consistent with its age.
The bellows is complete, although they have not been tested for light-tightness.
The leather case remains usable but shows considerable age-related wear, including rubbing, scratches, worn stitching and wear to the strap and fastening.
The camera has not been fully film-tested, so no guarantee is made regarding shutter accuracy, bellows light-tightness or photographic results. It is therefore offered primarily as an antique camera/collector’s item unless otherwise stated.
Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the description and show the cosmetic condition in detail.
A very attractive survivor from the early years of German roll-film photography and an interesting piece for a collection of ICA, Zeiss Ikon, folding cameras or early photographic equipment.
