What's New

What's New

Coming Attractions and Camera Show Calendar

March 2010
Blair Reversible Back Camera
(with patent extension back) Check Twitter (@f64imager) for website updates and other announcements about pre-1900 wood & brass cameras, news and other stuff.

For March, a Blair Reversible Back Camera outfit is posted. Although the basic camera is a traditional front focusing, field view body pattern, this particular example includes a rare extension back that converts it from a 4 x 5 to 5 x 7 inch format.

My annual listing of international camera shows for 2010 - the largest on the Internet - is growingly slowly and has stalled at around 55 shows. (A couple big dealers haven't sent me their schedules yet - Sam and the rest ... hop to it!)

Writing an article about the historic 1883 Pearsall Campact Camera, is going slower than expected. But I managed to acquire some rare Pearsall ephemera; images of brothers Frank and Alva Pearsall as well as one of Frank's 1870s "artist photographer" business cards. Of course, this means my article is once again delayed while I get organized. As I mentioned before, the Pearsall lore and legacy continues to surprise me.

February 2010
Anthony's Bicycle Camera

January 2010
Anthony's Patent Bijou Camera

September 2009
Wing's View Camera

Pearsall Compact Camera, c1883 - 8 x10 inch

In summary, the few known examples of Pearsall's Compact Camera would lead us to believe it was a commercial failure, yet it was a radical departure in camera design and unlike anything seen before it. And although Pearsall's Compact Camera is a footnote in the evolution of self contained cameras, there is no denying that its "DNA' is found in just about all self-casing cameras made from 1890 to the 1940s.

What about 2010 Camera Collecting? It's too early to tell (obviously) but in my opinion it will be much like 2009 - high end cameras appearing and selling strong and great deals on low end equipment. So ... collectors who patiently wait should be rewarded with great deals on excellent condition wood cameras.

The first camera at auction to reach $1 million? On 29 May 2010, Westlich will auction a rare Daguerréotype Giroux from 1839, the first commercially produced camera in the world. This is sure to be a historic and exciting sale; even for those of us who cannot afford the Euro 500.000 - 700.000 estimate. Check the Westlich Auction site for more details.

I have enjoyed receiving e-mails from those of you looking to identify "hidden treasures" as well as the correspondence and excitement of discovering hidden gems. Who will find the next great camera? As a reminder, a rare 1840s 1/4-plate American Chamfered daguerreian camera was uncovered, sold for close to $14,000 many years back, and then resold for $18,000 in 2007.

Be sure to check back for updated postings, and feel free to drop an e-mail if you have questions about pre-1900 wood cameras (and their value) or just want to show off a newly found item. If there is a wood camera that you would like to have identified, please provide as many details as possible AND include an image because it's impossible to identify a camera simply from a description!

Don't forget to check Rob's Most Wanted List for cameras I am looking to add to the collection. Thanks for stopping by and have a prosperous 2010. - Rob

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