This Bell & Howell motion picture camera is a true pioneer in
the Australian film industry. By the time this particular camera was
made, everyone in Hollywood knew that the Bell & Howell model
2709 was the pinnacle of motion picture camera manufacturing. All
others paled in comparison. Any one purchasing a Bell & Howell
35mm motion picture camera during this period was on the leading edge
in the film industry. Indeed, in order to afford one of these, one
had to be of special stature and it took a large production to justify
such a purchase.
This particular camera, number 231, was purchased by Australasian
Films, ltd. of Sydney Australia in March of 1918. It was next up from
Mary Pickford's camera number 230, and is from the silent period of
great stars and huge film productions. Other cameras with closely
related serial numbers were as follows:
# 227 Charles Chaplin.
# 230 Mary Pickford.
# 231 Australasian Films.
# 232 Arthur Edison.
