Expert: David Silver - 9/5/2010

Question
I have several Leica, Hasselblad, Mamiya cameras, as well as lenses and other accessories to sell as part of an estate.  The family member actually used Nikon, but collected these other items.  All are in very, very good condition; I've had a few photographers look at them who were quite impressed with their quality.  

I've done massive research on the Internet, and actually sold 2 Hass and 2 Leica lenses on eBay, but am totally overwhelmed and very nervous about selling these high end items with no more  experience than I have with them.  I have inventoried everything and have a spreadsheet with every bit of info on each item that I could find, as well as pictures of each item.  I see that you give advice on selling equipment like this, and would very much appreciate any advice you have for my situation.

Thanks so very much!
Trina

Answer



Hello Trina,

You are correct to feel "nervous".  This is a very specialized and potentially hazardous field, there are plenty of sharks out there waiting to take a bite out of you if you make a mistake, and there's no time or margin of error for you to learn all that you need know to to maximize the value in these items.  I cringe at the thought of a "mundane" (ie., not experienced in the field of vintage cameras, etc.) individual selling any of this on eBay! I'd hazard to guess you might have been stuck shipping the Leica lenses to Hong Kong or some other Asian port of call (where some pretty heinous eBay buyer's scams have been originating), and the Hasselblad gear could go anywhere in the world.  Ouch!  Not for the faint of heart.  But that's why I'm here, and that's why I help people.  My 30+ years of experience is at your disposal.  Go ahead and forward this message directly to me at the e-mail address below, and attach the list, plus a few small (emphasis on small) pictures of anything that you couldn't identify (a frequent problem in the bizarre world of Leica accessories).    I'll take a good look, and then get back to you with a working evaluation of the entire collection, and some ideas for marketing all of it properly and with the least amount of effort and stress on your part.  You'll soon see you don't need to do anymore research ("massive" or otherwise!), and you won't have to stick your neck out on eBay!  And PLEASE be careful about showing the gear to local photographers because you're going to get confusing and conflicting information from people who probably have their own little agendas for what you have there.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes,

David Silver - President
International Photographic Historical Organization
<silver@photographyhistory.com>

(415) 681-4356