Museum Archive
A rare KGB Kiev 30 spy camera disguised as a woman's vanity case. To take pictures one pulls on the brass loop to advance film. Then pressing on the outside of the case triggers the shutter. Lends window on case. Real lipstick, and powder. Mascara not real. Format (16mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/200. 13x17mm)
Museum Archive
Rare KGB f-21 spy camera disguised as a woman's handbag. Cold war era, 1960s-80s. The camera takes pictures by pressing on the side of the bag, making a hidden hole open and close. Soviet markings on mechanism.
Museum Archive
A Kiev 30 camera was disguised in a metal housing as a package of John Player cigarettes. Pictures are taken by pulling on the tallest protruding cigarette that advanced the film, then pressing side button that releases the shutter. Once touted as “KGB” spy cameras, current information indicates that most or all of these cameras were manufactured expressly for collectors by entrepreneurs in Poland or Ukraine. It is very unlikely that they were designed by the KGB as the camera would never pass for a packet of cigarettes except by the most cursory glance and some variations lack the space for a real cigarette. Format (16mm (f3.5-11); 1/30-1/200. 13x17mm)