Serial no. 63613

with Schneider-Kreuznach 50mm f2.8 Retina-Xenar lens with full helix focussing

(meaning that the whole lens moves in and out, not just the front element)

and Synchro-Compur shutter with 'modern' speeds

that is: ....... 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500

(rather than 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/400)

made 1957-59, the Schneider-Kreuznach serial no. 5844731 dates the camera as Jan 1959

(s/r's: 5,000,000 = Feb 1957, 6,000,000 = May 1959)

in mint condition, the previous owner said that he 'imported it from Germany'  

Kodak's Retina cameras are German, being produced in the Nagel factory which they acquired in 1932. With them came the innovation of Kodak's pre-loaded film cassettes that we take for granted today. Prior to that users (Leica owners!) had to load their own cassettes in a darkroom.

the very first model of 1934 which cost $53

(2007 RPI equivalence $820; $2044 compared to unskilled wage)

An excellent and comprehensive description of the 1B can be read here: http://www.pixis.info/CameraPages/Retina1B.html

the earlier (1954-57) Retina 1b can be seen here: http://www.eyescoffee.com/collectcamera/kodakretina1b/index.php