In 1930, the Eastman Kodak Company was celebrating their 50 years in the photographic industry. As a promotion for this event, the company offered any child born in 1918 a FREE CAMERA and a roll of film. All they required was proof of birth (a birth certificate) be presented to a Kodak Dealer. I qualified, so my father brought me to a Kodak Dealer in Gardner, Massachusetts, and I was given a free box (or "Brownie") camera and a roll of 120 Verichrome film.

To this day, I still have the camera and it works just fine, thank you!

In August, 2000, I received a letter from the Eastman Kodak Company asking me to contact them in reference to the 100th year of the "Brownie Camera" (my free camera). After numerous telephone interviews and letters, Kodak informed me I would be included on their web site along with Ansel Adams, Jane Withers, and other recipients of a free camera back in 1930. Two of my photographs, circa 1930, were included in this presentation.

Now, after 75 years, photography plays an important role in what I consider to be, "The Harvest of My Years."

My photographs are for sale as fine quality notecards ($2 each). Click here to see what is available.

Email me at awsphoto@aol.com if you have questions or wish to purchase my work.

Albert W. Sylvestre