pictures show a bellow camera model and an old eastman kodak model.Welcome to Rare Antiques Collectibles Memorabilia.
Old cameras are some of the most attractive scientific instruments, fashioned from mahogany and other exotic woods, with detailed joints and exquisite brass fittings. Some people just get a sheer joy of waxing and polishing the brasswork.
Early camers used glass plates for negatives and these plates required plate holders. If you get the chance to buy an old plate camera, ask about the plate holders. A plate camera with plate holder is much more valuable than the camera on its own.
The earliest camera were large and cumbersome and were without bellows. they usually consisted of two wooden boxes one sliding into the other. Dating from before 1840 such specimens could cost you you a years' salary today, if in good condition.
Bellow cameras came later but these are still expensive. Although early bellow camers were made in several sizes, negative or plate format, the smaller camera fetch pproportionately better prices but this is only relative virtually all early cameras are now quite expensive.
You need lines of research although there are books on the subject of old cameras they are rarely comprehensive. By far the best source of information is old photgraphic magazines - a case of advertising documenting history.
You might fancy collecting eastman kodak cameras from the earliest models right up to today's.
Between the wars cameras offer plenty of scope.
Remember for all your collecting ideas always drop by Rare Antiques Collectibles and Memorabilia.
