Expert: David Silver - 7/12/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi David - I recently purchased 4 vintage cameras at auction and am wondering the best way to get them appraised. As I understand it, antique cameras aren't terribly valuable as collectables due to their wide availability, so I'm figuring I won't be able to retire if I resell them, but I'd like to know how much I should be asking for. Any help?
Answer -
Hello Stephanie,

Tell me what you have, and I'll tell you a bit of their history, what they're worth, AND the best way to sell them.
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Awesome! I have:
No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak that is in pretty rough shape. it has rounded edges, not square ones. The shutter appears to work but the baffle is fallig apart.
No. 2 Beau Brownie green/aqua blue in really good shape (I think the shutter works) with an intact carry strap on the camera and the case.
No. 0 Graphic in good shape with a working shutter.
Yashica Electo 35 GSN that appears fully functional.

Thank you!  

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

The No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak is a very common amateur folding bellows camera that was made in many versions from 1900 to 1915, for 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 inch exposures on old #118 roll film.  In excellent condition they usually sell for about $35 to $45.  In the condition you describe, it sounds like spare parts only, so virtually no value.

The No. 2 Beau Brownie is a fancy colored box camera, made by Eastman Kodak from 1930 to 1933, for 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch exposures on #120 roll film.  While most simple box cameras from that period tend to sell in the $5 to $10 range, the Beau Brownies are popular among collectors today for their bright colors.  You have the "blue" version, which is the most common (they also came in two-tone combinations listed as "black", "tan", and the least common and most valuable was "rose"), yet still sells for $60 in truly excellent condition with its matching colored case.

The No. 0 Graphic is a miniature single-lens-reflex camera, made by the Folmer & Schwing division of Eastman Kodak from 1909 to 1923, for 1 5/8 x 2 1/2 inch exposures on old #127 roll film.  In truly excellent shape (it MUST be clean and working!), it can go for up to $150.

The Electro 35 GSN is a fancy snapshot camera, made by Yashica of Japan around 1975, for standard 35mm film.  Too new to be collectible, and too old to be usable.  I don't know how you determined it was "fully functional", since there are no batteries available for it anymore!  The shutter may go "click", but I doubt if anything else is actually working.  Tough item to sell, maybe $20 at the most.

So the No. 3 Folding Pocket Kodak and the Yashica 35 GSN are sort of a waste, but the No. 2 Beau Brownie and the No. 0 Graphic are worth some money.  You could try eBay (a real crapshoot), or craigslist (who knows what weirdos will answer your ads!), or putting an ad in a local paper (may take months to find a buyer), but I can recommend a few collectors you can contact right now who may have an interest in buying the two cameras:

R. Dennis <splant@pacifier.com>
Tommy Aaron <zeissnikon@mindspring.com>
Frank West <gryku@yahoo.com>

Send them all an e-mail simultaneaously, tell them what you can about the two cameras (seriously don't bother with the other two, they're nothing more than flea market bait), let them make offers, and I'd suggest the highest offer at $175 or more is your buyer.  No fuss, no waiting, no transaction fees, and three nice people to deal with.  I chose these three because I feel they'd want both cameras rather than just one or the other.  If you don't get an offer for at least $175, get back to me and I'll have other recommendations.

Best wishes,

David Silver