Date: Fri 22-May-1998
Date: Fri 22-May-1998
Publication: Ant
Author: JUDIR
Quick Words:
PhotographicHS
Full Text:
Photographic Historical Society Show
(W/CUTS) EWM
By Bob Jackman
WALTHAM, MASS. -- On April 25 and 26, the Photographic Historical Society of
New England presented its semi-annual show. The majority of the event's
exhibitors actually hailed from areas outside New England, and some of its
shoppers even came in from Europe and Asia.
An attendance of 2,200 made this the largest show of collectible photographic
equipment in the nation. While other shows may emphasize photographic images
or used photographic equipment, this is the only major show which emphasizes
collectible equipment. Some exhibitors also presented new and used equipment
and photographic images, but the special attraction was the rare, high quality
equipment no longer in production. Most patrons came from eastern New England,
but high rollers from across the United States and Canada were also present.
Exhibitors were universally enthusiastic about sales. One of those was Graham
Pilecki of Albany, Calif. As the owner of MPM Presentations, he oversees the
nation's largest photographic images show in Oakland. In Waltham, he reported,
"I am impressed by this big crowd. I've sold more at this show than any show
in the past ten years."
Every sort of photographic equipment and accessory could be found. The
strongest demand was for the uncommon products of Leica, Nikon, Hasselblad,
Contax, and Rolleiflex. There was also a good demand for Canon, Pentax and
Minolta products. Cameras by lesser makers were generally inexpensive and not
selling. At some tables, trays of these cameras were marked "Your pick $20."
While all formats were offered, the heaviest action was on 35 mm in the small
format, 2¬ in the medium format, and four by five in the large format. Less
photography is now being done with eight by ten cameras, due to the
combination of costs and the elimination of film grain.
"They have changed the film from a grain to a flake process," said Len Levy,
of the Photo Speculator. "It can now be enlarged significantly without
becoming grainy."
Two Siberian immigrants represented MIR Camera of New York. They offered
cameras produced for the Russian market, including about a dozen KGB cameras
which were packaged as cigarette packs or buttons. Despite a tan Russian
repaint, Cliff Goode, the photo archivists of the Strategic Air Command, found
a rare Leica. Internal markings indicated that it had been made for the Nazi
military, and was only one of three known examples of this model.
Some high-end dealers did most of their selling during the setup and early
buyer's session. Exhibitor Ron Wilson of Katy, Tex., reported, "As you can
see, I flew up with a single case. I sold enough before the show opened to
make the trip worthwhile."
At the opposite end of the spectrum was Hunt's Camera and Video, Melrose,
Mass., with a dozen tables. Owner and president Jack Farber acknowledged,
"Yes, we're the biggest in New England in both the new and used photo
equipment. Our 30,000-square-foot store has 15,000 [feet] for retail space and
15,000 [feet] for warehouse. This is the only collectible show we do, but we
do 22 shows a year with new equipment."
Dealers with modestly priced merchandise did most of their selling to the
general public. Photographic Specialists of Stevenson, Conn., with seven
tables, did "a fair amount of selling to dealers, but more to the public.
Bargaining is the name of the game."
Many visitors to the show arrived with a full bag of goodies to sell.
Generally, they sought out a dealer specializing in that manufacturer, and
then opened negotiations. Some exhibitors were at the show exclusively to buy.
Typically, dealers were looking for specific merchandise in fine condition,
and they were more interested in purchasing than in bartering.
Some buyers reported that the Asian economic slump has impacted their
businesses, which were designed to buy in North America and sell in the
Orient.
"The dollar is too strong," reported Sydney Ju of San Francisco. "My business
is based on selling to Hong Kong and China. Now I have to begin selling here."
Photographic images were offered at some of the 200 tables. The deepest field
of images were stereocards. The largest inventory of stereocards (10,000) was
offered by Dale and Janice Rossi of Adamstown, Penn.
"We have been collecting for 18 years and have the largest collection of
Buffalo, N.Y. stereo views," said Janice. "The days of the 50 cent cards [are]
over," added Dale. "Most of these are $3 to $50 with $20 cards common. Rare
and special cards can reach $1,000."
Stereocamera specialists such as Jon Golden (3-D Concepts) of Waban, Mass.,
also participated.
Daguerreotypes and tintypes sold well, but the supply was limited. Some of the
larger inventories were in the booths of Larry Rochette, Peacocks and Peasants
of Sudbury, Mass; Photographic Specialists of Stevenson, Conn.; and Gunter
Mueller of Oakham, Mass.
The club and show have a fine blend of photographic and business expertise.
For example, club president Dan Jones retired after many years as the
photographic archivist at Harvard's Peabody Museum of Anthropology, and during
a productive business career, show manager Ed Shaw developed excellent skills
for organization, staff motivation, and promotion.
Exhibitors included a full spectrum from major businesses to amateurs.
Straddling those groups were some retired professionals such as Jack Cryan,
former video photographer with Channel 5 in Boston. Now a resident of Barton,
Vt., below the Canadian border, Cryan had a range of merchandise and stories
that attracted crowds throughout the show.
About ten booths offered discount film. The largest was Charlie's Photo
Supplies of Brooklyn, N.Y., who specialize in short dated and now dated film
sold at severe discounts. "They buy it as fast as [we] can take their money.
People who find [us] at this show will become customers for our flyer. It's a
great show."
Some 24 booths offered photography books, which ranged from technical manuals
to historic retrospectives, and collections of images. John Penney of Belmont,
Mass., offered the most extensive supply of photographic ephemera.