12 http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk
Nigel Atherton looks back at past AP issues
THE GRAND neo-classical interior featuring on this week’s
cover was none other than the Reception Hall of the brand
new Kodak building on Kingsway, London. Designed by John
James Burnet, it was one of the seven wonders of the
photographic world, judging by AP’s enthusiasm about it. ‘So
ubiquitous has the Kodak become that it has taken its place
in the language as being practically synonymous with
“camera”, a fact evidenced by more than one dictionary.
Messrs. Kodak would be the last to suggest that they were
responsible for all the cameras in use today, although an
inspection of the palatial new building which has sprung up
in Kingsway might give rise to the idea. It is surely a sign of
the times, and a corollary of the oft-repeated statements
concerning the enormous spread of photography as a
pastime or business, that such a building devoted to such a
purpose is possible. In the new Kodak building one sees at
every turn evidence of the genius of organisation and
efficiency that has always characterised this great firm.’ The
Reception Hall, pictured on the cover, was particularly
impressive. ‘In this beautifully proportioned hall, which is
reached via a white marble staircase from the entrance hall,
Italian crestola statuary marble is used for the walls, and
Greek white marble for the floors. The pilasters are of blue
Belge marble and the columns in the Reception Hall of
rochetta pavonezza marble.’ The building survives to this day
at 61 Kingsway and is now Grade II listed, though some
would say that Kodak lost their marbles some time ago.
Topics of the Week & Editorial CommentFrom the archive
27 November 1911An awe-struck tour of the new Kodak HQThe Rose, by Guido Rey The White Sail, by John H AndersonNovice’s Notebook discussed printing The weekly critique of readers’ pictures