Vintage Miniature Cameras

"QUANTUM SHOT" #45

Cameras for Spies and Other Lovers of Inconspicuous Photography
(vintage collection)

This is the famous "Brownie" camera from Kodak. The Brownie popularized low-cost photography and introduced the concept of the snapshot (first model dates from 1900)
A later model (art deco style from the Thirties):

Scovill Antique Oak Detective Camera:

(images credit: Ritzcam.com)

No serious antique mini camera collection could be complete without the Coronet Midget Camera which was made in England in 1935:

"The Combi":

"Photoette":

Mec-16 in gold finish:

(images credit: Ritzcam.com)

For the utmost in rare camera items, check out this miniature camera, used by Japan Police in the Fifties: (source RitzCam.com)

(images credit: Ritzcam.com)

Not that rare, but pretty spiffy is another vintage Japanese product:
Hit Type Crystar camera (1956 model)
It had many variations, made by little-known companies.
If you doubt that a camera like this could take "real" pictures, take a look at the shots here