December 20, 2017
#216
Gentle reader,
NOTICE: Since a number of fellow classic camera collectors have expressed interest in some of the same books, I feel the only fair way to make them available will be to post them for sale via eBay. I will post links to my "Items for sale" eBay page on the FaceBook page. This will allow those interested to bid or buy those which interest them. I will OF COURSE combine shipping for multiple purchases and ship via USPS Media Mail. I will wait until AFTER December 25th to start the auctions. This way all the holiday shipping will be over with.
Here are links to the previous chapters:
This chapter will deal with books about collecting old cameras and other collecting books including price guides and vintage camera catalogs. The latter are a font of information as they have list prices at the time these cameras were new as well as showing various lenses and accessories that one may have had no prior knowledge of.
These Sears catalogs are in exceptionally nice condition. It is a wonder they survived at all, let alone so well, since some are more than 60 years old. They are annual catalogs from when Sears & Roebuck sold SO many items. 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1980-81, and 1982-83, You will feast your eyes at what one could buy from Sears! Just remember the prices were current in those years.
I do not remember Modern Photography magazine. At some point in time, I came across this (and the newer one that follows) most interesting Annual from that magazine. I can't BELIEVE how much incredible information is packed into these magazine specials!
Now, we get into camera collecting books. And do I have PLENTY of them!
Orion Research Corporation made price guide/history books for the Insurance and Pawn Shop industries. They are not complete, but cover the vast majority of cameras, lenses and accessories. If they continued with a web site, I suspect they have a LOT more information. I have one for Audio (Stereo, etc.) equipment as well. Another of my passions.
McBroom's picks up where McKeown's leaves off: With newer equipment. Both are essential for a camera USER as well as collector.
Above and below are my only copies of McKeown's price guides. At the time of purchase, they were the most expensive books that I had bought. In each, I have highlighted every camera that I have owned as well as writing-in ones that are not listed. Jim McKeown bought a Sears camera from me via eBay and it's photo and information is in the one below.
Jean Loup Princelle is one of those rare individuals that compiles incredible amounts of information on something, then writes and illustrates incredible books about them. His (above) is MUCH more complete (and professional) than the one below. Both are very interesting, however.
I always meant to research and find other issues of the fine publication below. Probably just as well that I did not. I have too many books now. Odd that they could not find a better example of the Leica CL as the one on the cover is missing the glass from the front of the rangefinder windows. Written in Italy and translated and sold in other countries. This one, is #1 from February 1997. I think I would have hesitated to spend $10.00 on a magazine back then. Excellent articles on FED, Zorki, Contax to Kiev, Rectaflex, 35mm cameras PRIOR to the Leica, a review of Christie's auctions, Leitz Compur Summicron flash synchronization and finally colorful Leicas. Amazing. I SHOULD have looked for more!
Above, a book I bought just as soon as it was printed. Having owned a number of Spiratone products, and reading the pre-publication review, I knew I just HAD to have a copy. Second only to the George Eastman House collection, the Spira Collection is AMAZING!
Below, is a book from Colonel Bill Arps collection. The Evolution of the Japanese Camera. From the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House.
Below is the first of many books I have SPECIFIC to collecting, buying, selling and using vintage and classic film cameras. From 2004 and by David Williamson, it is a big, heavy and fact & photo filled wonder. A great book. I hesitate to pass it on.
Next a softcover book by David Neil Arndt. It is from 2000 and as the title implies it is a very good guide for newbie or experienced collector. Amherst Media is well known for publishing photography guides and books.
Below, from Schiffer Books and by Scott Faragher, is another similar book. It is from 2002 and is full of wonderful clear color photos of not necessarily mainstream cameras. Really well put together book.
By none other than Ivor Matanle, this is a fantastic book by a world renowned photographer and collector. From 1986, and interestingly it was published in Malta.
Below, from 1976 and by Brit Cyril Permutt, this hardbound book is extensive, informative and very interesting. Mr. Permutt is well versed in the subject and this is a great book for any collector/user. I have repaired that tear on the dust jacket as well as two on the back.
Below, also from Amherst Media, this guide is from 2002 and by Michael Levy. It focuses more on actually putting the old cameras to work at what they were made for. History and photo filled as well.
Next, below, we have by George Gilbert, from 1997, a follow up to his three-volume book on Photographic Advertising. Dealing with cameras as well as other photo related items.
These two books are divided by World War II. First printed in 1981, these pocket-sized books are a great primer for the collector. A Brit, Robert White is a long time collector and photographer.
Lastly and the most wee book of this group, was written by a real-honest-to-goodness, Prince! First published in 1993 in Italy. This English language edition is from 1997. High quality, heavyweight thick paper throughout, each pair of pages features one or two cameras with brief information in Italian and English. Wonderful clear photographs of each camera.
That does it for this chapter. Thanks for taking the time to look at my humble blog.
Scott
December 20, 2017
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