For sale is a WWII NAVY SAILOR PHOTOMATIC METAL FRAME PHOTO BOOTH PORTRAIT from the International Mutoscope Corporation, NYC. The expression on the young sailor’s face is one of deep, deep regret. He must have shipped out the next day. This photo booth portrait measures 3 inches by 2 5/8 inches. A superb military collectible.
In 1925, Anatol Josepho, a Siberan immigrant, patented the first photo booth that he called the “Photomaton.” Two years later, he sold his invention for a million dollars. The Photomaton debuted in Manhattan and charged 25ȼ for a strip of eight photos that was developed in eight minutes. Trained attendants helped customers use the new device to take their photos. The original Photomaton was eventually bought by William Rabkin. Rabkin’s Mutoscope Photomatic eventually became the Deluxe Photomat with 4 images on strips.
