"Photographica" is the general term we use to describe all the various artifacts involved in the history of photography. From the vintage books where old time photographers once learned their trade, to the antique and classic cameras that took the pictures, to the archaic processing equipment that brought the images to life, and to the very photographs themselves. In the brief space allotted us here, I hope to expose a bit of this complex world for you to appreciate. Along the way we`ll also investigate a few strategies for hunting out these collectibles, explore ways to research whatever you find, and learn where and how to meet other photographic collectors.

Of course, the question beckons, why bother collecting photographica in the first place? Certainly, if you are holding this magazine or reading this article on the internet, you already have a general interest in photography. You appreciate the mechanical mysteries of the camera and admire the power of the well-visualized image. However, when you leave behind your comfortable world of auto-everything do-it-all cameras and peek back into photography`s history, you quickly see there are many more things to learn about photographers and processes and apparatus than you had originally suspected. Is your "general interest" reason enough to start collecting? It can be, but there are other good reasons as well.

For example, the history of photography is "neat" in that the first processes were clearly defined and introduced in 1839. Therefore it is a field with a distinct beginning and its history is recent enough so that any neophyte can quickly get a grasp of its general extent. And photography offers incredible diversity throughout its fabric, in both process and product, creating endless opportunities for the discerning collector to find a specialized niche. Also, photography represents that rare synthesis of art and science, esthetic values combined and compressed with mechanical and chemical achievements. While they may not always realize it, those who collect photographica are also collecting relics of an historically significant scientific and artistic heritage. Lastly, of course, for the "evil" speculators among us, the collectible market usually beats the heck out of inflation over the long haul. However, I think the best reason to collect cameras and other photographica is the endless fascination, the unique charm, and the simple fun of it all!

What to Look For:
Once the collecting bug bites, there`s no telling where your interests will lead you. Most advanced collectors of photographica admit that at one point or another they found themselves buying anything that was remotely connected to photography. This isn`t necessarily a bad thing, but it`s really only an advantage if you have unlimited resources and the space to maintain it all.

However, reality usually rears its ugly head and dictates that you confine your habit to some logical collecting goal or principal interest. This isn`t to say that you have to "limit" your collecting, but merely give it some focus. For example, my special interest lies in nineteenth century cameras and apparatus, preferably made in America, with a few choice examples of the images from that period to illustrate the final product.

So, how focused should your collecting be? That`s for you alone to decide. Looking at cameras, for example, you might only be interested in East German 35mm products. How about German cameras of any type or format, or just those made by Zeiss Ikon? Japanese products in general, or 1950`s Nikon only, or rare pre-war Olympus, or anything from Kuribayashi`s stellar 90-year reign. Do you like miniature cameras? Or would you prefer rare and unusual "spy" cameras? Perhaps you like Kodak folding cameras. Perhaps you only like Kodak folding cameras made in the 1930`s. Or perhaps you specifically like fine German folding cameras from the Nagel Camerawork made in the 1930s for distribution by Kodak. You see, each specialty can lead to a further subordinate specialty, or just as easily branch out to another area. Of course, if you prefer the truly antique, you can choose from those grand formative years of camera evolution in the nineteenth century. For the mad, screaming zealots among us, all of these probably sound appealing, but the point is that the possibilities are endless. Get the picture?

Speaking of pictures, you may want to collect these, as well. Daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, carte de visite, cabinet cards, stereo views, or the famous images taken by the acknowledged masters of the field. Record prices have recently been paid for particularly fine examples of Daguerreotypes produced by a few important photographers, but there are still plenty of excellent portraits and simpler views available at bargain prices for the beginning collector.

Ambrotypes, while not as desirable right now as Daguerreotypes, are actually harder to find in pristine condition, and I feel market prices in the next few years may reflect this. Stereo cards, on the other hand, depending on image subject and photographer, have always been a volatile market. However, whatever your specialty, if your interest lies in photographs, of any type or vintage, I highly recommend that you aggressively enter the fray now, before the art and history collectors price us right out of the market. Even for people who have no interest in the process, photographic images represent the only truly objective and esthetically "pure" view of our world and will always command a value beyond their simple beauty and mesmerizing charm.
As any modern photographer knows, the contemporary market is glutted with every imaginable accessory and aid for capturing that elusive "perfect" picture. That`s hardly news, however, as the collector can hope to find accessories dating clear back to the very beginning of photography. Filters, tripods, view finders, self timers, cable releases, framers, vignetters, and flash devices are just a few examples. I have seen some absolutely amazing collections of exposure metering devices numbering hundreds of items and still growing. And let us not forget the "software" of photography, the film, which over the years has taken many forms, from silver plated copper sheets to gelatinous coated glass plates to flexible strips wound on spools or inserted in cassettes.
Whatever your eventual interest or specialization, I want to emphasize one important strategy for you. Always insist on the best possible condition. Believe me, you don`t have to settle for an item that is in "good" condition "considering its age", because in photographic collecting there is no such qualifying statement. If you feel you must buy an item in less than great condition, and this will happen to you more often than you might guess, fine. We all resort to impulse purchases at times. Consider them opportunities to play a little and maybe even learn a little bit about repair. However, try not to invest too much for these "opportunities" because you won`t always find another collector willing to trade for or buy such items for the same price. Shop smart and compare. Take notes. Haggle with people. Ideally, whatever you can collect, do it out of joy and never out of a sense of obligation or necessity. Have fun!