The Collectability of Vintage Cameras

 

QUESTION: Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, I used several Nikon 35mm cameras and lenses to shoot photos for the articles I wrote. In the mid-1990s, I began using the new digital cameras and never looked back. Besides my 35mm cameras, I have several other older cameras. What can I do with them? Are they collectable?

ANSWER: Now that digital photography has become firmly a part of people’s lives, people want to know what to do with their old 35mm cameras. Even though photography has been around for well over 150 years, it’s taken a long time for traditional photographic gear—cameras in particular—to become collectible.

Today, old cameras dot the tables at yard sales and flea markets. Most are 35mm castoffs, but a few are older. With the ease of taking photos with a digital camera, let alone not having to buy film, it’s no wonder dealers have so many cameras and lenses on hand. But are these recent castoffs worth anything in the collectible market? That’s the big question.

Unfortunately, in the world of photographic memorabilia, recent 35mm cameras aren’t worth much unless they’re classic cameras or rare or unique models. Over 30 years after the introduction of digital cameras, the value of used 35mm cameras still hasn’t risen much.

So what types of cameras can be collected without breaking the bank? There are lots of modern cameras that have long ago outlasted their usefulness that can create an interesting camera collection. You can pick up a decent 100-year-old Kodak box camera for about $10 to $25 at flea markets. Folding cameras go for a bit more. 

Established by pioneering George Eastman in 1888, Kodak soon became one of the world’s most widely recognized brands. Photo historians credit Kodak’s first box camera  with broadening the appeal of photography to a wider audience, as these cameras were both less expensive and easier to operate than those designed for professional use. 

But since the appearance of digital cameras, people often ask about the worth and collectability of 35mm cameras, of which there are two types—rangefinder and single lens reflex cameras.

The first cameras to use 35mm movie film to create still photographs were called rangefinders. These cameras came outfitted with an additional rangefinder that allowed the photographer to assess distance in their frames to capture precise, clear images. But these rangefinders had a problem. The image the photographer saw in them was slightly shifted to one side, so the resulting image wasn’t exactly what the photographer saw. The Kodak 3A, which was introduced in 1916, was the first of the brand. The most famous rangefinder cameras were Leicas, precision optical cameras made in Germany. These became the camera of choice for photojournalists.

Though first patented in the 1860s, the single lens reflex(SLR) camera didn’t become popular as a consumer and professional camera until the 1960s. The SLR camera created crisp images with exceptional color thanks to its use of a complex combination of a mirror that moved with the shutter and a prism that refracted light to capture the image. 

Created in the late 1910s, primarily as a lens manufacturer, Nikon grew over the course of the 20th century to become one of the leading producers of both lenses and cameras. The company’s SLR cameras dominated the market in the 1950s with their modular camera systems that afforded users a variety of compatible camera components that could be changed out depending on conditions and preferences. So trusted was Nikon camera technology that they became one of the main suppliers of cameras to NASA.

The price of a vintage camera can vary widely, depending on the condition of the camera and its rarity. For example, prototype vintage cameras – those designed to pilot new camera models – tend to sell for more money because they are often few and far between on the market.

For more information on collecting cameras, read Collectors Snap Up Old Cameras.

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Postcards From the Attic

QUESTION: My grandfather collected postcards for years. Now I have his collection. While it’s great to look at, I have no idea of where to start finding out about the hundreds of cards he collected. Can you please help me?

ANSWER: To begin, deltiology—postcard collecting—is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the world. Most people collect postcards for four reasons: (1) Nostagia. Many older collectors seek out pictures of “the good ole days” or "the way it used to be.” Younger ones seek out the places or characters from their childhood. (2) Cost. Many items have soared in price, but postcards can still be obtained for from 10-cents to $10 each. (3) Investment. Postcards that sold for 10 cents less than 10 years ago now bring $1 to $5 and more. (4) Art and printing. The art on a postcard often determined the printing process and vice versa, from the lithochromes of the 1890's to the photochromes (photo cards) of today.

There are still many millions of postcards packed away in attics. Many, neatly tucked away in albums for the last 90-100 years, are in pristine condition. When postcards sold for 1 cent to 10 cents each, not very many people thought it worthwhile to search a dusty attic for them. Today, that’s all changed.

You’ll find postcards for sale at garage sales, flea markets, antique shops, and stamp shows. The most popular ones are the “hometown views.” Many show main streets with gas lights, trolleys, horse-drawn vehicles, store signs, sidewalk sales, bustles, hoopskirts, knickers, hightop shoes, and Model-T Fords. Those who collect for nostalgic reasons love these.

Then there are those from family vacations and foreign tours. Those who travel frequently often bring back views of the places they’ve been on postcards to put into albums either in place of their own photographs or in addition to them. They could pick up free cards from motels, hotels, resorts, and restaurants and, of course, purchase many scenic view cards of popular vacation spots. In fact, the act of sending picture postcards to the folks back home began as an American pastime.

And you shouldn’t ignore the greeting postcards, sent by Victorians in the latter part of the 19th century to express holiday and birthday greetings.

Postcard collecting was a huge craze in the early 20th century, with peak years running from about 1907 to 1913. People used these cards to keep in touch with friends and family, much as people use Facebook today. Couples courted using postcards and strangers met other strangers in foreign countries. By the end of the peak period in 1913, people had sent over 968,000,000 postcards. If even a fraction of all those cards have made it into the hands of dealers, the supply would be overwhelming. In fact, because so many have come into the market, the price for most postcards remains relatively reasonable.

Most collectors seem to collected cards for their pictorial value and not as much for their condition. During the peak years, many seemed willing to pay a few cents for old cards, focusing on topics like bridges and courthouses which are of little interest today. And with over 120 different topics to choose from, it’s no wonder that the hobby has grown so much.

Many collectors refused to consider any card made after 1920. They especially liked photographic postcards for their historical significance. Mid-20th-century roadside and local views have now increased in popularity and price. And it’s become difficult to find city views from the 1940s and 1950s.

Dating used postcards is simple—just check the postmark on back. However, it can be harder to figure the date of unused ones. Early cards from before 1900 to 1918 have good detail and no border.

Those with a white border date from 1919 to 1932. Most of the cards were view cards which were often pale with low contrast. Paper stock at the time had a coated surface, resulting in a dull, flat  appearance. 

Linen texture-cards dominated the market from 1933 until the early 1950's. The majority of view cards from this era are boring and unattractive, especially those featuring scenery because the linen texture actually took away from the picture. Real photos of tourist areas were also fairly common. Photographic cards from this time are generally glossier and more contrasty than earlier ones and have titles in white letters close to the bottom of the picture.

As with postage stamps, the condition of a postcard falls into one of six categories—mint, near mint, excellent, very good, good, and fair. Cards in the last condition aren’t considered collectible unless they’re very rare.

To find out more about your cards and to maintain and grow your collection, you might want to join one of over 70 postcard clubs in the U.S. Most of these clubs issue bulletins that have valuable postcard information, stories, and pictures. Even if a club isn’t close enough to make it convenient for you to attend meetings, it’s worth joining, if only for the bulletins and membership rosters, so that you can begin trading with other members.