AboutDavid Silver Expertise I'm an expert on all types of antique and classic CAMERAS, vintage PHOTOGRAPHS, and the 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; from daguerreotypes and tintypes to the black & white images by the 20th century masters. I can identify and appraise, explain techniques and processes, offer insights on restoration and preservation, and provide guidelines for buying and selling.
Experience I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for over 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:
Question I have this camera in EXCELLENT, like new condition with a dozen or so attachments, plates, etc. One camera person said he would love to have it but couldn't afford it in its wonderful condition. It has been well kept. I have your 2005 copy of your article on this camera. Without going on e-bay, do you have any suggstions if I were to put it up for sale. There is no drying out or peeling - it is as if it and all his attachments had just been manufactured. Thank you.
Answer
Hello Irene,
Yes, fine examples of the Folding Rochester generally sell in the $1000 range, easily five to six times the value of other comparable yet much more common American self-casing cameras of that era. The problem here is that this has become a very specialized market, I'm afraid the older collectors who valued these treasures the most are slowly dying off, and it's becoming harder and harder to market the great wood and brass beauties of the late 19th century. However, I'm certain I can recommend several good honest collectors and historians you could contact on your own to initiate a fair and stress-free transaction. Please e-mail me directly at <silver@well.com> and provide a few small JPEG digital images of the camera so I can see exactly which version you have and the nature of any additional accessories. Then I will look through my current directory and find several appropriate contacts for you. MANY more of these cameras emerged after my article appeared in 2005, prices went as high as $1600 at one point the following year, then dropped severely after that as the market suddenly saturated, and there was a low point last year when a rare enclosed shutter variant died on eBay for under $600. Fortunately, despite now having my own record of several dozen different Folding Rochester cameras on file, the value seems to have finally stabilized around $1000. Anyway, the important issues remain proper preservation and continuing research, especially when newly found excellent complete examples of these camera appear. So it is vital that we place the camera in the right hands, while making certain you are properly compensated. I look forward to hearing from you!
