Cameras/Steky Model III 16mm camera set
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Question
Ref: my previous inquiry. Both the leather carrying case for the telephoto lens and the leather decorative band on the camera are stamped "made in occupied Japan". The set was purchased by my Father when he was on Occupation Duty in Japan after WWII.
Hello,
Well, it's rather odd to find a Steky III stamped with "made in occupied Japan". The Steky was a series of common subminiature cameras, made by Riken of Japan from 1947 to 1955, for 10 x 14 mm exposures on 16mm film in special cassettes. Your Steky III must date from 1951 because that was about when the "made in occupied Japan" stamp was phasing out, although the introduction date for the III is usually given as 1952. The camera alone normally sells for about $75 these days, but the complete outfit you've described would bring around $150.
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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