Collecting old camera brochures Is there a good reason to do it? Charles Binns thinks there is

Collecting old camera brochures Charles Binns

It is a strange thing to do. I kind of just ‘fell into it’ by accident. I used to acquire the brochures for cameras I could not afford, and thought I never would. Some I have managed to own over time, but most I have not. The brochures themselves, all for film cameras, are very finely printed and nice things to keep. Much to my surprise they also have nominal market value, varying from £5 right up to £30 each, in theory anyway though I am not sure who would now buy something that was once given away for free. I do know that some photographers like to have the original brochure of a classic camera that they own and any printed material from Leica also always has a value it seems. My total hoard is worth about £250 based on auction site prices, but they are not for sale as I still get pleasure from reading them. Strange what makes us happy, so think twice before throwing out your collection hoovered up from all those dealer visits and photography shows before ‘online’ took it all away.