Mycro I-Model 14mm subminiature camera : Brian McMullan, British Commonwealth Occupation Forces, Japan

Small 14 mm film camera in chromed and leatherette finish. The lens surround is marked 'mycro SANWA CO LTD', and has a levered shutter control with settings for 100, 50, 25 and 8. Adjacent to this is the shutter control. The base of the lens has diaphragm settings for 4.5, 6.3, 8 and 11. The front frame of the lens is marked 'MYCRO ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5'. The camera is equipped with a knurled winding knob, and a red lensed film window on the hinged film cover. Supplied with a two part leather carrying case with a snap fastener and short carrying strap. The front of the case is impressed 'mycro'. A hole is punched into the rear of the case to match the film window in the rear of the camera.

Subminiature camera used by Brian McMullan (born 1937) and his mother, Cecilia whilst in Japan. The McMullans had moved to the dependent housing area of Nijimura, Japan when VX150779 Captain John Patrick ‘Jack’ McMullan, Cecilia’s husband, enlisted with the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (BCOF) Labour Unit. After two years of living in Japan, the McMullans returned to Australia in 1949; Brian had preceeded them by some months to attend boarding school. This tiny camera was initially made in Japan from 1939 and enjoyed a second wave of popularity after the war, where improved models were made until the mid 1950s. It was used by both the 11 year old Brian and his mother to capture images of post-war Japan, holidays and outings and their album of images includes dozens taken with this camera, showing parades, school excursions, the Eta Jima School at Kure, the Anzac Day Parade at Kure in 1948, Japanese Festivals and a holiday in Nara.