Comments on: Collecting Glass Plate Negatives: Saving Images Of The Past

By: The Dean

The Dean — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:26:06 +0000

Lindy
Thank you for your response to my post. Sorry, I’m can’t give you a value as I’m no expert. Glass negitives were not common durning the second world war, and Teddy was long dead. I would guess the negatives are Spanish American War.
If original and not a copy of a picture or print, I would think they would merit a close look from an appraiser in the area of political collectibles. The setting or background, the style of clothing and anything else identifyable in the negitives, could effect the value. If they were taken by a famous photographer, that too would increase their value.
Check with a local antique dealers association, I’m sure thay can suggest an appraiser in your area.
The Dean

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:20:13 +0000

I have about 3 or 4 glass negatives of Teddy Roosevelt during WWII. I can’t seem to find anything on the internet of their value, if any at all. Could you refer me anyone that would have information about these?

By: The Dean

The Dean — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:28:20 +0000

Zeynep Targac,
Thank you for reading my article on Collectors’ Quest,
Your blog page is very well done and I enjoyed the great photos your showing. The young lad reminds me of so many photos I have had with children in sailor suits, as early as the 1920s.
The musicians are another group shot that I liked.
Thanks again for the link to your blog.

The Dean
Staff Writer
dean-ferber@sbcglobal.net
Please continue to view and enjoy Collectors’ Quest

By: Zeynep Targac

Zeynep Targac — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:37:01 +0000

Hi!
I am Zeynep, Nice to know that kind of historical material, like frozen moments..photos on glass..
Please, if you like to look at my blog.It is very new.I start to publish in English.Also you may find the Turkish blog.. http://www.camnegatifler.blogspot.com
for more glass plates negatives.

than we start to talk about the photos,

Best Regards,

Zeynep Orhon Targaç

By: The Dean

The Dean — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:18:33 +0000

Sharon,
It sounds like quite a treasure. We would love to see them on CQ. You don’t mention if they are negative or positives. I use a program called Nero, that lets me turn a negative into a positive with one click. I’m sure Photoshop and others will do the same.

I have a light box that I made, it has a translucent surface with a light behind, I photograph the plates.

I see no reason why scanning the plates would not work. It should be an easy task and uploading to our site is easy also.

There are many sports collectors that would be interested in the plates as well as political collectors for Eleanor. Amelia Earhart, WOW.

I can’t advise you on prices as I’m not an appraiser, but please keep my email address and when you arrive at a price and want to sell I would be interested in the items.

Best Regards,
The Dean

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:37:10 +0000

My grandfather was head photographer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and I recently came across some of his glass plates. Most noteworthy of these are Eleanore Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. There are many other plates of the Cleveland Indians during training. I’d like to scan these negatives and share them on this Website to see if there’s a collector interested in purchasing them at a fair price.
Can you please tell me if I should scan these glass plates with a regular scanner (Canon Pixma MP500) then upload them to the market place or do you recommend another route?
Thank you in advance.

By: The Dean

The Dean — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:03:50 +0000

Thank you for your interest in my Collectors Quest posting on antique glass negatives. First, I might suggest contacting your local historical soecity, I’m sure they would have great interest in preserving the history contained in these old pieces. I don’t know if they have budget for purchases, you might call to find out.

As for value, I see prices all over the map, so don’t be surprised to see some at antique stores for a few dollars, to over $10. Normally I purchase single copies under $5. in very good condition with clear image of interest. Street scenes with old autos and horses, men working, boats, ships – especially identifible Great Lakes ships, sports – especially women playing golf or tennis, visible advertising, building names, ladies in bustles and big hats or inside buildings with turn of the century machines. all have great interest. Large format negatives are rare, and usually priced higher even if the subject is dull, and since I can not fit them into my enlarger, I usually pass them up, unless they are exceptional.

Large selections are often priced as a group and rarely do I find enough good ones to justify a purchase, as subject and condition are important.

Since your collection is from Bay City and if your main interest is in selling the lot, let me suggest contacting local antique stores or malls. Some malls have consignment cases where you can display your items for sale, others may offer to purchase them outright. (Please remember to check costs and policy on consignments, some have automatic reductions on the sell price at set dates. plus hidden fees i.e. credit card charges). Remember that dealers will offer a price based on their experience and how long the might have to hold the collection before it sells.

Please continue to visit Collectors Quest to learn more about the collecting world. We’re a big community.
The Dean

By: R. Badour

R. Badour — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:00:07 +0000

Hello,
I just came across your site a few minutes ago while searching for information. My husband has 2 large boxes of glass negatives that are from the very early 1900’s it appears, They are mostly buildings of our city, and of some historical landmarks, and some that are no longer in existance. We would like information on possible value, interested buyers, etc, but haven’t a clue where to start, as the antique business is new to us. We are from Bay City, Michigan. Thanks for any and all information.

By: The Dean

The Dean — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:44:33 +0000

Brad,
Glass plate negatives and magic lantern sildes are always a great find, but selling prices vary by size, quality, subject and general appeal. And one most important factor is finding the right buyer. Collectors Quest now offers a channel for selling your items right on our site, just try the “Market Place” tab at top.

As far as pricing your items without seeing or knowing the details of each is most difficult. I can tell you that most of the ones I purchase are under ten dollars each, and often in batches where the individual price comes out to about two to three apiece.

Lovely ladies, adorable animals or work horses, long lost buildings, street scenes with antique autos, industrial interior or equipment shots, scenes with reconizible advertising, famous people, Black people, American Indians, sports events with identifiable teams or players, and some cute babies, are most in demand.

Most image collectors are interested in the photograph, or positive image rather then a negative, but I have a B&W darkroom and some day will get the time to print all my glass plates.

Thank you for reading my post,and continue to enjoy Collectors Quest.
The Dean

By: Brad Maughan

Brad Maughan — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:34:07 +0000

i have just resently found a few plate glass negatives while i was at work. i asked about them at a locale camera store and a guy said that they might be worth something. i was just wondering if anyone had any information for me about them because i have never even heard of them before.
thanks

By: sarah

sarah — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:36:19 +0000

Greetings. I found my way to your blog by Googling ‘displaying glass negatives.” Recently I have come into possession of several vintage glass negatives, and wondered if/how they could be displayed. I am pretty handy at creating shadow boxes and other unusual display frames for odd pieces, including wiring them for interior lighting. I was wondering if that would be a decent way to display some of these negs – the images are just so incredible and compelling (so “familiar” but so anonymous at the same time). I can see where you stated that glass negs don’t lend themselves to display, but I wondered if you thought displaying them in a shadow box that could backlight them would be interesting.

Any info/opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and trouble.

You have some amazing images – I never knew these things existed and now I’m hooked, I think. =)

By: Peter Lacovara

Peter Lacovara — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:10:24 +0000

We are looking for a small size glass negative of Egypt or the middle east- something recognizable like a camel or pyramid or something