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Question
I was recently able to purchase a Polaroid Model "One Hundred" Roll Film Camera (This is not the "Automatic 100".  My understanding is that possible less than 10,000 of these were ever produced.  Do you have any information to the value or demand by collectors for this item?

Answer
Hello,

I'm afraid there's nothing special or valuable about the Polaroid Model 100.  It's merely an "industrial" version of their extremely common Model 95A made from 1954 to 1957.  It has better gears and cogs in it to stand the extra strain of day to day work, and probably the majority of these cameras were used in police and security.  As for selling "less than 10,000", well, you don't understand, that's a LOT of sales for an industrial model.  In truly excellent condition, a Polaroid Model 100 would sell for around $20 today, and maybe double that in the original box with instructions.  It's no great treasure as a collectible (as a rule, Polaroids tender virtually no interest among collectors), and absolutely worthless as a usable piece (the roll film for these was discontinued years ago).

Best wishes,

David Silver

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David Silver

Expertise

I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.

Experience

I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:

http://www.photographyhistory.com


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