Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Questions Answered by Expert David Silver
| Subject | Date Asked |
| An antique camera & film named "Camera" | 7/28/2011 |
| Q: Seeking info; mostly age? Sandy Stilwell A: This is a very nice example of a "Yen" box camera, a simple form of amateur box camera made in great ... | |
| cameras and lenses | 2/1/2011 |
| Q: I have 3 boxes of all kinds of cameras and lenses. I don't know where to begin. I have made a list ... A: I can probably help you evaluate and then sell the equipment. Can you send the list to me by ... | |
| leica IIIF red dial? | 1/15/2011 |
| Q: I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE A LEICA IIIF RED DIAL CAMERA FROM AROUND THE 1950'S. ON THE TOP OF IT, IT ... A: Serial number 600080 is actually a Leica IIIf "black dial", a traditional 35mm coupled rangefinder ... | |
| Manufactured by J.H. Kennedy, St. Paul. MINN. | 12/29/2010 |
| Q: I have this here. It does have broken part. but I don't know what it is, or if it has any value, or ... A: I have no idea why this would be marked as manufactured by "J.H. Kennedy" of St. Paul. Minnesota, as ... | |
| leica and Fujica | 5/28/2010 |
| Q: I haven't a clue where to begin with model numbers and prices for these pieces I inherited. I have ... A: Your Leica is a classic, a very high quality and valuable 35mm coupled rangefinder camera from the ... | |
| 1892 Folding Rochester | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: I have this camera in EXCELLENT, like new condition with a dozen or so attachments, plates, etc. One ... A: Yes, fine examples of the Folding Rochester generally sell in the $1000 range, easily five to six ... | |
| Old Kodak Camera | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I have what I believe to be a NO. 3-A folding pocket kodak, model B-4. What can you tell me about ... A: The No. 3A Folding Pocket Kodak is a traditional folding bellows camera, made by Eastman Kodak from ... | |
| Leica for Sale | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: I have a black dial IIIF that I'm trying to sell and i'd like to get an idea of what its worth. ... A: From that serial number, you do indeed have a Leica IIIf "black dial", a traditional 35mm coupled ... | |
| antique camera | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: I have an old #2 Stereo Brownie camera. The little eye piece is here but loose. Otherwise it seems ... A: The No. 2 Stereo Brownie is a simple amateur folding bellows camera, made by Eastman Kodak from 1905 ... | |
| What are "union cases" for antique photographs? | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: "Union cases", the sort of plastic cases used to hold antique photographs...how did they get their ... A: Neither! Union cases were invented in the 1850's, they represent the very first successful use of ... | |
Answers by Expert:
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- robert klein
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- The Wicker WomanŽ-Cathryn Peters
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- Marvin D. Miller
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David Silver
Top Expert on this page
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:
Education/Credentials
BA and MA in anthropology
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