Cameras/Realistic Travel
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Question
I have an all aluminum stereoscope which I believe to be from Realistic Travel (the trade mark on the top is an R and T intertwined), the handle is missing but other than that it is quite a good condition, also there are approx 50 stereo cards of views of Egypt, India, Canada, Finland again the conditions fair.
I am thinking of selling this but have no idea of value or the best way to go about it. I would be grateful for your advice.
Regards
Lynda
Hello Lynda,
Realistic Travel of England was a major producer of stereo cards in the early part of the 20th century. Their viewers were of generally mediocre quality, generic examples of the standard Holmes-Booth style that was offered by virtually every stereo view company in the world, and one in truly excellent condition would sell for about $75 today. Without the handle, well, you'll have to consider a significant discount. As for the stereo cards, once again, Realistic Travel was a major firm, so their cards are quite common. Those showing images in foreign lands tend to sell for about $2 to $4 each, depending on quality and subject matter. The market for such items is difficult to reach. I usually don't make this recommendation, but you might do best to list the entire set on eBay so it gets maximum attention from potential buyers. A lot of stereo collectors search there.
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:
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